Stevensville’s Main Street revival

By Randi Burdette

Stevensville’s historic downtown has seen a revival recently with the addition of a number of unique businesses that appear to be flourishing. Starrett Artists, Mission Bistro, Peacock Floral, and Rooster Creek Mercantile have all opened their doors within the last year on Main Street and have found themselves welcomed by the community.
Shanenon and Julia Starrett, along with their graphic designer Lisa Applewhite Decker, made the move to Main Street in May of this year to open a store front for their business, Starrett Artists, at 211 Main, and they have been thriving there ever since.
Considering themselves a “boutique advertising photography business,” their interests and talents include family portraits, senior photos, marketing campaigns, and commercial, still life, and lifestyle photography. They say they “love to photograph anything, anywhere, anytime, it’s what we do.”

Starrett Artists also create documentaries, setting them apart from other photography studios in the Bitterroot Valley. Last year they created one for the Forest Service celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. This year’s film will be focusing on “Sculpture in the Wild,” a group based out of Lincoln, MT. Besides their interest in photography, Shanenon and Julia have a two-year-old and another child due in the next month. Keeping this in mind, their business flourishes around the idea of community. They consider everything that they do to have a community basis. Stop by at 211 Main Street or call them at (406) 823-0101.

James Brickey and Kevin Kearns opened the doors of Peacock Floral in September of this year. After working at a hardware store, the opportunity presented itself to Brickey to open a floral shop and he jumped at it. Together the partners remodeled an apartment on Main Street to create the unique space where Peacock Floral now resides. Even after taking out a kitchen and adding a walk-in cooler, the remodel has yet to finish as they intend to create a work space that would include a place for vases and more space to grow. Brickey studied floral design at the Flower Design Institute in Portland, OR and would like to take more courses to keep up the quality of the shop.
When asked about the name of the shop, Brickey stated that he “wanted something that people would remember and something unusual.” The two also own peacocks, adding to the charm that is Peacock Floral. Stop by at 311 Main Street in Stevensville or call them at (406) 777-9854.

Jim and Sharon Gentry have opened Rooster Creek Mercantile at 217 Main. The store has a large inventory of rustic furniture handcrafted by Jim as well as home decor items, mostly family-made. Jean Schurman photo.Jim and Sharon Gentry, owners of Rooster Creek Mercantile at 217 Main, began their career in 1980 in San Diego, California, opening four shops which they only recently closed to take on the move to Stevensville. They wanted to be with their family, who also decided to move to Montana. Opening their doors in early September, the couple has been excited about being in Stevensville, where they found a niche for Rooster Creek Mercantile on Main Street.
The products in the store, which leave the customer with a rustic and charming impression, are mostly handmade by members of their family. Jim builds most of the furniture while their daughter, Michele Forgetté, makes the signs that adorn the store’s walls. Sharon and Jim say they love the community and the closeness of Stevensville, from the Homecoming Parade to the Scarecrow Festival. Describing it as “warm and friendly,” they plan on staying in the community and the location for a long time. Stop by at 217 Main Street in Stevensville or call them at (406) 777-7148.
Although Mission Bistro is not new to Stevensville, the wildly popular restaurant has moved to new and improved digs at 225 Main.
Owners Angie and Eric Loessberg – siblings and Stevensville High School alumni – returned to their hometown of Stevensville after many years away and together decided to share their love of outstanding food and service with the community. When they were presented with the idea of opening a restaurant in 2012, they jumped at the chance. And now in 2015 they were presented with the option of growing and expanding their business. Their motto continues to be “Local Food, Local Folks.” The success of the Bistro can be attributed to the exceptional quality of the food and the warm and comfortable service. The love for what they do is quite clear.
The move has been challenging, but the excitement building around the new location has been tremendous in the community. According to Angie, the aesthetic of the new building resembles their old location but with more seating capabilities and an improved kitchen. Formerly housing The New Coffee Mill, the building has been remodeled and revamped with the style and elegance you would expect for this fine dining restaurant.
“After three months of redesign we are so excited for our customers to see the new space we’ve created,” said Angie. “Although we will miss the charm of the old location, we’re so thrilled with our new home on Main Street.”
“As chef, I’m delighted with the creation of the new menu items and the larger kitchen to work in,” said Chef Eric. “By doubling our burners and adding a gas grill this upgraded space will allow for more culinary creativity. I’m looking forward to the challenges of a larger restaurant.”
The building itself isn’t the only new thing about Mission Bistro. Be ready to meet some new faces of the wait staff, a new menu, and possibly a new wine selection in the near future. The duo also hopes to do more events in the future with their new space; perhaps wine dinners and company holiday parties. Stop by and have a bite to eat at 225 Main Street or call for details at (406) 777-2939.
The above four businesses are just a sampling of the many new businesses in Stevensville. Very soon it may prove difficult to find any available space, so if you’re thinking of opening a business in downtown Stevensville, now is probably the best time to start looking for your spot.