May 2016  Spotlight: Sushi Hana  Play It Missoula Returns  Sidewalk Talk  New MDA Members  Downtown Safety Tips

May 2016  Spotlight: Sushi Hana  Play it Missoula Returns  Sidewalk Talk  New MDA Members  Downtown Safety Tips

President’s Column we love it. You can’t walk down Hig- by Aimee McQuilkin gins without a friendly wave, a verbal hello or a head nod from at least Betty's Divine one person per block. [email protected] When I’m working at Betty’s and travelers ask me a good place to ast month, my family and I get dinner or where more shops took a trip down to Austin, like this are, I proceed to give them MissoulaDowntown.com LTexas for Spring Break. Friends TOO MUCH information. I love be- MDA Board & Staff have been talking it up for years, ing asked about Missoula, and I am President but normally I like to travel to places proud of all the things our city has to Aimee McQuilkin...... Betty's Divine shockingly different from where it is offer. I have also grown to realize just Past President I call home. Though much bigger Heidi Starrett...... Missoula Independent than Missoula, Austin is a similar pro- how important it is to train my staff to gressive city in a large conservative do the same. As owners and man- VP of Advocacy state, has a university and a rad live agers of businesses, we fully grasp Anders Brooker...... Runner's Edge music and craft beer scene, and how important positive messaging is let’s not forget the whole “Keep to the success of our businesses; cus- VP of Marketing & Events Missoula/Austin Weird” thing. Let tomer service and atmosphere are Mario Schulzke...... University of Montana me tell you…we had a blast! what gives us an edge over Amazon VP of Master Plan Implementation We were blown away by the cre- and Reserve Street discount stores. Ellen Buchanan...... MRA ativity, the food trucks, the murals But does our staff reflect the same and neon signs…and above all… enthusiasm and welcoming charm? VP of Membership the people! Super crowded restau- With the tyranny of the immediacy Julie Tomasik...... AAA Mountain West rants gave amazing service despite that comes with running a business, it’s easy for us to forget or to put off Treasurer the stress of the line that wrapped Rick Eneas...... Montana CDC around the building; baristas enthu- training our staff to be ambassadors siastically listed off suggestions for for Downtown Missoula. Board of Directors fun things to do within walking dis- With Missoula’s busy summer sea- Trent Baker...... Datsopoulos, MacDonald, & Lind tance; even passersby on the street son close at hand, and really, all Larry Brehm...... A.I.A.,Architect, PLLC smiled and offered directions and year round, it’s important to remind Lynda Brown...... Brown HR Consulting our frontline staff to not just offer the Dan Cederberg...... Cederberg Law Offices, P.C. tips. I wasn’t sure if this was just the Emily Costello...... Treasure State Bank Texas hospitality I’ve heard rumors amazing customer service that you Matt Ellis...... Missoula Osprey/Uptown Diner of or what, but I was so impressed. expect at your business, but to treat Anne Guest...... Retired It was as if the entire city had Downtown Missoula as a whole in John Horner...... First Interstate Bank all taken the same workshop on a similar fashion. Take the time to Kim Klages-Johns...... MSO Hub authentic customer service and inform your staff about events and Diane Lanning...... Providence/St. Patrick Hospital friendliness! I love getting insider little tips (like the first hour in the park- Scott MacIntyre...... Badlander/GPA ATM ing garage is FREE and the Mountain Brooke Redpath...... METTLE tips from locals. Between Yelp and Chad Strickland...... Liquid Planet Trip Advisor, it’s easy to get over- Line is zero-fare...) and help them whelmed with reviews and enticing make a visitor’s day. ■ Ex Officio Members food pics, and it’s tough to decide Rod Austin...... Missoula Parking Commission what to do and where to go on a Corey Aldridge...... Mountain Line quick trip to an unknown city. Noth- Shane Stack...... MT Dept. of Transportation James Grunke...... Missoula Economic Partnership ing beats real life social interaction. We left Austin with the impression Downtown Partnership Staff that people who worked and lived Linda McCarthy...... Executive Director there truly loved it, and it made us Leidy Wagener...... Membership & Events Director love it too. Kristen Sackett...... Marketing & Events Director Coming home to Missoula, I real- Robert Giblin.... Finance & Administration Director Madeleine Hoyt....Customer Service Coordinator ize that visitors look at our city in a Will Greenway...... Community Development similar way. We live here because Sarah Ferguson...... Operations Coordinator Updates to Montana Parklets Return June 3 Food Regulations id you catch sight of a pink flamingo By Todd Seib outside the Brink Missoula City-County Health Dept. D Gallery last summer or re- n the United States, an esti- lax amid a sea of unique mated 48 million people get plants provided by Caras sick each year from food, Landscape and Nursery? I Did you slide into a comfy and over 3,000 people die each year from food-born ill- chair to read a few chap- nesses. Serving food outdoors ters outside Fact & Fiction? in a temporary booth is inher- Known as pop up parks or ently more challenging than in parklets, these creative We want you to be part of the fun! a permanent establishment in spaces punctuated our Downtown Missoula is gearing up for another terms of food safety. Cramped streetscape last summer. Parklets season of parklets starting Friday, conditions, a constant stream convert on-street parking spaces June 3. We are looking for busi- of customers, lack of plumb- into temporary "people places" in nesses to help us transform parking ing and electrical capacity, support of a friendly environment spaces on First Fridays in June, July, weather changes, and move- for people walking and biking August and September. Parklets able equipment, are just some Downtown. Missoula’s parklets are are available starting at 10am and of the challenges. Frequent a project of Missoula In Motion, the are open to the public. There is no and proper handwashing is still Missoula Parking Commission and fee to participate and businesses one of the best ways to protect paticipating businesses. will be recognized in local media food and keep folks from get- Together, they create attractive, outlets. ting food-borne ilnesses. active, vibrant public spaces for Contact Alicia Vanderheiden at Research shows that food eating, reading, listening to piano Missoula in Motion to reserve your safety training significantly re- music or meeting a friend. spot at (406)552-6731 or avander- duces food-borne illness out- [email protected] ■ breaks. The Montana Depart- ment of Public Health and Downtown Sidewalks Key to Vibrant Downtown Human Services recently updat- s the weather warms up in trian pathway. ed the state’s food regulations. Missoula and folks come out •Sidewalk signs and other décor This is a great step toward fur- of winter hibernation, our should be put away and locked up ther protecting the community. A Downtown sidewalks and public each night. The state rule requires all but the spaces come alive with people, ac- •Trees should be watered regu- lowest-risk food establishments tivity, furniture and décor. Sidewalks larly. to obtain food safety training. are intended to be pedestrian cor- The Downtown BID offers hot wa- Coffee shops and some conve- ridors, but great Downtowns want ter power washing services for $45 nient stores are exempt. Since their public spaces to be clean, an hour and graffiti removal services Temporary Foos Service opera- safe, attractive, accessible and a for $65 an hour. This is a great dis- tions are inherently more risky place folks want to linger. counted service to both businesses than most permanent estab- As you put out your sidewalk din- and property owners in Downtown. lishments, most operators are ing furniture, flower boxes and - bar If you are interested in power- required to obtain training. The rels, and sidewalk signs, please re- washing services, call the Down- Missoula Health Department member to keep - at a minimum - a town Missoula Partnership office at can provide information on five-foot clear pathway for pedestri- (406)543-4238. available trainings. ans. Here are some other things to If you need information on per- With food safety as a priority, keep in mind: mitting or other city regulations, call TFS applicants should have the •Sidewalks should be clean and City of Missoula Compliance Servic- food safety training, and menus clutter free. es Coordinator Charmell Owens at should have limited onsite prep •Furniture should be immediately and involve only quick cook adjacent to your building or on the and serve or assemble and curb. serve. Vendors should keep •Flower boxes, barrels and plant- the menu simple and keep po- ers should be adjacent to the build- tentially hazardous foods to a ing or curbside or should delineate minimum. All Temporary Foos your food and beverage service Service operations must be sup- area. ported by a licensed kitchen •Street décor should not impede for food storage, cooking, dish- access to parking meters or bike washing, sourcing hand-wash racks. water, and proper disposing of •Sidewalk signs should be adja- waste. For more info, call (406) cent to the building or curbside and 258-4755 or Visit https://dphhs. should not protrude into the pedes- mt.gov.

2 Sushi Hana's New Owners Bring Fresh Priorities to Traditional Japanese Cuisine Welcome New Members! Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry and New Member Spotlight Hoven, P.C. By Diane Lanning, Daniel J. Auerbach Providence St. Pats 201 Railroad St W # 300 ocated on N. Higgins Sushi (406) 728-1694 Hana is more than a Sushi Miso based ramen is a new addi- www.bkbh.com LBar; the restaurant serves a va- tion to the menu, prepared Susukino riety of traditional Japanese dishes. style with pork, corn and butter. The La Bella Vita Quality of food, preparation, and dessert menu features Cherry Blos- Kim Chacon customer service are priorities for som ice cream, with a sweet salty 132 N Higgins new owners Yuriko and Floyd Ha- flavor, and Mochi ice cream. Both (406) 721-2955 www.labellavita.com gen. During the last year, the inte- desserts are gluten free and pre- rior of the restaurant was refreshed pared at the restaurant. Sushi Hana Downtown and a new menu created. Work by local artists is featured Yuriko and Floyd Hagen Yuriko was a long time Sushi on the mezzanine, with a new art 403 N Higgins chef with the previous owner and introduced on First Friday of every (406) 926-3313 is clearly inspired to make dining at month. http://sushimissoula.com Sushi Hana exceptional. Yuriko was Visit Sushi Hana “The First Best Su- raised in a rural area of Hokkaido, shi Bar in the Last Best Place” at 403 Copperopolis the northernmost of Japan’s main North Higgins or call 549-7979. The Jodi McCarthy islands. She learned the art of cre- entire menu and weekly specials 132 N. Higgins ating Japanese dishes by helping (406) 926-3188 can be viewed at www.sushimis- www.facebook.com/ her mother prepare family meals. soula.com. ■ copperopolis-of-missoula

Play it Missoula! Returns to Downtown for 2016 Summertime is upon Missoula and with it brings the return of pianos to Downtown for the community's enjoyment! Friday, June 3 is First Friday and the roll out of four themed pianos designed by local artists. Head Downtown to check out the new designs and Volunteers Needed! show off your music skills! Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is looking for volunteers to help with fall bicycle and pedestrian traffic counts. The counts and surveys will take place on: • Tuesday, May 3, from 3-6 pm • Saturday, May 7, from 12-2 pm MPO relies on the help of volunteers to make sure all stations are counted, so please consider sign- ing up to count on one or both days. It's also a great way to ob- serve how our transportation system functions across modes! To sign up for volunteer shifts please visit our online sign-up form or contact MPO directly:

Dave Prescott (406) 552-6672 -or- Aaron Wilson (406) 552-6629 Get the perfect gift for the Moms and Grads in your life! Shout Outs

YMCA Missoula (The Spring YWTalks) series is back again in May, and Good at over 170 locations, YWCA Missoula has invited Niki Graham to speak. Graham creates a safe Downtown Gift Cards are the space to talk about sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and common and perfect way to say thank you uncommon misconceptions about both. In a nation that offers students what is often considered to be fear-based sex education, Graham's an- or congratulations. gle tends toward fun, offering a wealth of information and interactive activities. Join the YWCA Wednesday, May 4, for a frank discussion on Purchase gifts cards at the Down- what you don’t know about sexual health. The talk will begin promptly at 4pm at the YWCA Center room at 1130 W. Broadway. town Missoula Partnership, 218 East Main Street & the MSO Hub, 140 N. Mamalode presents 11th Annual Mother's Day Eve Saturday, May 7. Holy Higgins. Cow, Mamalode invented a holiday! Mother’s Day Eve®, is a party for Also available online @ moms, by moms. Join us for an entire day of fun, learning, pampering missouladowntown.com and celebration. The day will end with a gala affair at the Roxy (YES, you should dress up!) for an evening of stories, sing-a-longs, film – and a special announcement by our very own Mayor John Engen. You can also pick up your downtown bag, calendar and guide at Every two years, MCT, Inc. throws open the cupboards, clears the base- the Downtown Missoula ment shelves and offers up everything from one-of-a-kind costumes to Partnership! hand-crafted treasures during the MCT Rummage Sale! The 2016 sale takes place Friday, May 6 from 12-5pm and Saturday, May 7 from 8am- 12pm at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. The public is invited to use the Lobby entrance and make their way to the third floor via the stairs or elevator to shop ‘til they drop. Montana Special Olympics Althlete BBQ and Law Enforcement Torch Run Arrival is Tuesday, May 17 from 5-8pm at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field (Home of the Missoula Osprey Baseball team) with music by the RetroTones. Join us for food and music as we celebrate our amazing ath- letes!

Please submit member shout outs by the 18th of each month to [email protected] created in 1998, runs from 9 am to 1 pm and features hand-crafted Member Spotlight arts from nearly 100 local artists and craftsmen. Usually located on East Pine, this year the People’s Market will take place on the 100 block of West Pine Street. For more informa- Long time MDA member Ro- tion, visit www.missoulapeoplesmar- emer’s Tire Factory (240 E Broad- ket.com. way) is changing its brand to Ro- Downtown parking is free eve- emer’s Point S. This change was nings and weekends, and there is made by the Tire Factory leader- ample parking for market custom- ship in an effort to drive costs down ers throughout Downtown. for its member-owned stores. The Mountain Line Market Trolley “Since announcing our Point S runs up and down Higgins Avenue relationship, we’ve already had from market to market. Additional- some huge wins,” says local owner ly, Mountain Line remains zero-fare, and Tire Factory board member, and all routes begin and end in John Roemer. Downtown. Several key manufacturers have The Saturday Morning Markets come forward with better deals Saturday Markets Return add an incredible vibe to Down- for our membership. According town Missoula that is the envy of to Roemer, Point S is a global tire to Downtown Missoula many Downtowns across the Rocky and automotive products buying here is no better place to Mountain West. We are grateful for cooperative. The Point S cooper- be than Downtown Missoula all the vendors, farmers, ranchers, ative has over 3,000 independent during the Saturday Morning crafters, board members, market member locations in the U.S., Can- T ada, and many European coun- Markets, and market season is final- masters and customers who sup- tries, with a presence in 27 coun- ly here! Saturday, May 7 marks the port the markets. ■ tries total. Opening Day of the Missoula Farm- Locally Roemer says auto re- ers’ Market at Circle Square and pair and maintenance counts for the Clark Fork River Market at the Coming Up: Craft Beer Week about half of his annual sales. Un- Riverfront Parking Lot. The Missou- & Garden City fortunately, the Tire Factory brand la People’s Market, also known as BrewFest was really focused on tires. the Saturday Arts & Crafts Market, Get ready for all the craft beer “Rebranding to Point S gives me will open on the same day – May you can handle! Missoula’s Craft the opportunity to refocus on our 7 – and will be located on the 100 Beer Week kicks off April 30 and service offerings,” he said. “We block of WEST Pine Street this year. have a long tradition as a quali- The original Missoula Farmers’ leads right into Garden City Brew- ty auto repair provider and have Market started in 1972 and runs ev- Fest on Saturday, May 7 at Caras had difficulty telling that story. The ery Saturday from 8 am to 12:30 pm Park. Sample great beer from the Point S brand really stands for ser- on the north end of Downtown on masters of our region and start your vice, selection and savings. That’s what we’re truly about,”. East Railroad and East Alder streets. summer season right! Fresh local produce, flowers, plants, Roemer is also really excited baked goods and coffee are pro- about all the changes occurring vided by more than 100 individual Downtown and is proud to have vendors, along with live music adja- been a supporter of the Downtown cent to the Historic Railroad Depot. community for nearly 40 years. His More information can be found favorite things about Downtown are the many events, including the online at www.missoulafarmersmar- Garden City River Rod Run, Out ket.com. to Lunch, the Markets and Down- The Clark Fork River Market start- town ToNight to name a few. ed in 2005 and runs every Saturday “Events like these and others from 8 am to 1 pm through Septem- help give a sense of place to our ber and 9 am to1 pm in October. The community. I couldn’t be happi- market features locally-produced er with the direction Downtown is fruits and vegetables, meats, poul- heading,” he added. try, fish, and dairy products, as well Volunteers Needed! In May and June, Roemer’s as plants, flowers, baked goods, a Email Point S will be fundraising for this variety of beverages hot and cold, info@missouladown- summer’s International Choral prepared foods, wool and oth- town.com or call Festival. For every set of tires sold, er wares from Western Montana (406) 543-4238 for Roemer’s will donate $20 to the farmers, ranchers and chefs. More more information on Festival efforts. He hopes to raise several thousand dollars before information can be found online at how to get involved www.clarkforkrivermarket.org. June 30. with this fun event! The Missoula People’s Market, (continued right) 3 Downtown Retailers door. . • Keeping the sidewalk in front of Important Downtown By Jamie Wolf Focus on Safety Numbers and Resources Childhood Development Center your store clean and clear of clutter is important. fficer Andy Roy and- Am • Engagement with respect and Call 911 if you need police, fire or bassador Dave Chrismon care will go a long way towards ambulance services. Call if you offered some good advice O keeping your storefront clean and feel threatened or in danger. to Downtown business owners and safe. employees at the April 14 Down- Downtown Police Officer Andy Roy town Retail Meeting. The informa- There are several Downtown Re- 406-396-3188 tion will come in handy as pedes- sources available for assistance, Officer Roy works 40 hours a trian activity picks up this spring. and most of the information is lo- week, and he varies those hours Discussion centered around utilizing cated in the Downtown Business in an offort to keep solicitors and verbal and non-verbal language to Resource Guide. Please contact panhandlers on their toes. If he is communicate with customers, sup- Leidy Wagener (leidy@missoulad- on shift, he will answer the phone porting each other with neighborly owntown.com) if you would like and/or return your call. If you not assistance when safety issues arise, additional copies. Please familiarize hear back from him in 20 minutes, and knowing what resources are yourself with the resources, share please take the next step. available. the information with your employ- All Downtown business owners ees and neighbors, and contact Downtown Ambassadors and employees can benefit from the Downtown Missoula Partnership Dave Chrismon...... 406-396-7805 the following information: Office if you have questions. ■ Laurie Johnson...... 406-396-7806 Theft Prevention Tips The Downtown BID staffs 70 • Welcome and greet folks, make hours of Ambassador Services eye contact, move towards the May through October. Ambassa- individual, smile engage in discus- dors can respond to your call for sion, and offer to help. help usually within 10-20 minutes. • Pay attention and follow your intuition with all visitors. Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) • Connect by offering to “take that 406-493-7955 item to the counter.” The Poverello Center HOT Pro- • Straighten items nearby and gram reaches out to our home- make them know they are being less individuals to provide assis- watched. tance on their turf. • Do not offer food, beverage or restrooms to those who make you Salvation Army...... 406-549-0710 feel uncomfortable. Direct folks The new Salvation Army at 355 to the Caras Park restrooms April South Russell offers a hygiene through October. center with hot showers and free • Make no accusations unless you laundry services for those in need witnessed a theft. and is accessible via Mountain • Know your rights. Shoplifting oc- Line Route 9. curs only if and when the customer leaves the store with unpaid Mountain Line...... 406- 543-8333 merchandise. The Missoula bus system offers • File a police report if shoplifting zero-fare service, which means occurs. folks can get almost anywhere • Install security cameras and post in town on the bus. Visit www. notices if necessary. mountianline.com for route infor- Missoula’s 24 Hour mation. If and when employees feel un- Online Giving Day is safe when they’re alone in the shop, Chief of Police Mike Brady and a person of odd behavior is pe- Tuesday, May 3rd! 406-552-6320 rusing the store, Downtown retailers Contribute to your favorite noprofit often call each other and ask for a Mayor John Engen quick visit. Several store owners ask on Tuesday, May 3 and make a differ- 406-552-6001 others for LIGHT BULBS as a code ence in our community! The Missoula when calling for assistance. This Ward 1 Representatives means they would like an immedi- Downtown Foundation is participating Bryan von Lossberg..406-285-1857 ate, drop-in visit, if possible. The Trail in the event, and we would be thrilled if Heidi West...... 406-747-9158 Head often has multiple employees on staff and can easily respond to we were part of your giving plan! Ward 3 Representatives those calls for assistance. Emily Bentley...... 406-546-6552 Downtown Safety Tips Gwen Jones...... 406-549-3295 • Use lighting and activity to keep visit givelocalmissoula.org/npo/mis- folks from sleeping on your door- soula-downtown-foundation to donate step. • Panhandling and solicitation is not allowed within 10 feet of your 4