Montana
Kalispell thrift store focuses on quality in goods it sells
As thrift stores have become increasingly popular over the last few years, many retailers have upped their prices to keep up with the demand. But these preloved goods sometimes have an even higher price tag than what one might find at a box store.
Justine Van De Riet opened Resurrected Thrift with her parents, James and Danielle Coombs, and her sister, Jaylynn Coombs, in hopes of making thrifted items accessible again using consumer conscientious methods.
“I hear a lot of people saying that the bigger thrift stores are a lot more expensive now than they used to be. We try to find the right price point for people while still being able to keep the lights on,” Van De Riet said.
To get started, the family bought inventory from a thrift store that was closing in Conrad, and they continued to buy secondhand products until they officially opened their Kalispell store in April last year.
Over the years the ambitious family has owned a construction company, an ice cream shop, and a landscaping company and Coombs’ father, James, is currently running for House District 18 in Conrad.
Coombs said that many of her customers refer to the store as being more like a boutique than a thrift store due to the fact that donated items are thoroughly inspected. Afterward, Coombs washes every piece of clothing that comes through the store and places them carefully on a velvet hanger to prevent marks or tearing.
“I have not heard of any other thrift store that washes their clothes and if I have the time, I also try to clean the shoes too before putting them out to try and keep things on the nicer side,” Coombs said.
Before becoming a part owner at Resurrected Thrift, Coombs worked at her father’s construction company. Coombs said she prefers working at the store because of the opportunities she has to talk to people.
“I was recently saved and believing in God has helped me be able to talk with other people,” she said. “I’m opening my horizons in that aspect.”
“Our name comes from the resurrection of Jesus and then the resurrecting of clothes. We’re trying to give them a new life for somebody else.”
While Resurrected Thrift is not a nonprofit, much of the proceeds go to supporting veterans and missionaries.
“Both my parents are veterans and they were both in the air force and that’s how they met. My dad got to see more of the world and went to Italy, Spain, and South Korea, and my mom was stationed here in the U.S. Our country means a lot to us and we just want to try to give to veterans as much as we possibly can because many of them have risked their lives and their health for the country,” said Coombs.
The other portion of proceeds go to Coombs’ church, Faith Baptist Church, to provide for around 50 missionaries’ living expenses in countries including the Congo, Philippines, and Scotland. They also support an organization called Bearing Precious Seed which prints Bibles in 50 different languages and distributes them in over 115 countries.
Coombs loves seeing high quality products get donated and says she frequently sees upscale and brand new clothing come through the store.
“We get a lot of really cool brands in here,” she said. “If we get stuff with the tags still on, I’ll leave them because then people can truly see how good of a deal they’re getting. It’s also important for people to realize that sometimes I can’t go any lower with the prices to still be able to support the things that we want to support.”
Resurrected Thrift is located at 230 E Idaho St, Suite B in Kalispell. To find out more, visit their Facebook page Resurrected Thrift Kalispell or call 406-260-4410.
Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.
Resurrected Thrift opened last year in Kalispell. (Summer Zalesky/Daily Inter Lake) Resurrected Thrift has a variety of items for sale. (Summer Zalesky/Daily Inter Lake) Resurrected Thrift’s offerings include jewelry. (Summer Zalesky/Daily Inter Lake)
MISSOULA — Sam Forstag edged out Ryan Busse to secure the Democratic nomination in Montana’s 1st Congressional District.
Busse conceded the race to Forstag on Wednesday morning. Forstag had trailed behind Busse Tuesday evening, but he made up ground as the votes were counted into the early hours of Wednesday morning. The other two candidates in the race, Russl Cleveland and Matt Rains, are sitting at third and fourth, respectively.
Forstag leads in close race for Montana’s 1st Congressional District
Forstag spent eight years as a wildland firefighter, including four as a smokejumper, and he’s been vice president of the local National Federation of Federal Employees union. Last week, U.S. House of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, held a rally in Missoula to support Forstag’s campaign.
He told MTN on Tuesday that his campaign has been for the working class.
“We got a whole lot of people here that have been working their tail off to finally get some working-class representation in Washington,” Forstag noted. “So proud of everything we’ve done and so grateful.”
Forstag further noted he wants Montanans to be able to afford groceries, have universal free childcare and restore and expand Affordable Health Care Act subsidies.
“Hearing people’s stories and struggles and commonalities in the ways that we’re all fighting in the system that does not serve us so often, and the government serves corporations and the richest people in this country more than working people. It has been frustrating and saddening, but it has also inspired so much hope in me, like the fixes we can actually make,” he told MTN.
The 1st Congressional District covers much of western Montana, including Kalispell, Missoula, Butte and Bozeman. It is currently held by Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, who chose not to seek reelection.
By securing the nomination, Forstag is slated tol face off against Libertarian candidate Nick Sheedy and Republican candidate Aaron Flint in November.
Brian Miller won the Democratic primary Tuesday for the U.S. House seat in Montana’s eastern district.
The Associated Press called the race for Miller, an attorney in Helena, who fended off a challenge from state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, a longtime legislator from Box Elder, and Sam Lux, a farrier from Great Falls.
In the Republican and rural eastern district, any Democrat will be an underdog, and Miller will face off against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who was unopposed Tuesday.
Libertarian Patrick McCracken is also running.
In the primary, Miller took 58% of the vote. Lux took 27% and Windy Boy took 16%, according to the Montana Secretary of State’s website.
In April, Windy Boy paused his campaign amid “serious sexual abuse” allegations raised by the Montana Democratic Party — but Windy Boy restarted his campaign and later called the allegations “political attacks.”
Miller is representing the victim of the alleged abuse and her mother, although he said he didn’t take on the role until after Windy Boy initially suspended his campaign.
The Western Montana Food and Farm Trail, a new agritourism initiative led by Farm Connect Montana, launches May 30, offering locals and visitors a new kind of food and farm adventure across Western Montana.
Running June 1 through October 31, the self-guided Trail spans more than 200 miles and features more than 100 farms, ranches, farmers markets, restaurants, breweries and food businesses across the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead and Mission Valleys. Along the way, participants are invited to meet growers and makers, taste what’s in season and experience the culture and care behind Western Montana’s local food community.
At the center of the experience is the passport-style Trail Field Guide, illustrated by Missoula-based artist Courtney Blazon. The guide features illustrated maps, curated itineraries, seasonal highlights and more than 100 local food destinations throughout the region. The guide also includes more than $130 in special offers from participating farms and businesses.
Participants can collect stamps at Trail stops along the way to qualify for prizes, giveaways, or simply as a way to document their journey. End-of-season prizes include raffles for three CSA memberships valued at over $600 each, as well as local food and farm gift certificates, product bundles and Courtney Blazon-designed market totes.
The Trail is a regional collaboration led by Farm Connect Montana in partnership with Land to Hand Montana, The O’Hara Commons and Sustainability Center and Abundant Montana, organizations working to strengthen local food systems across Western Montana. The project aims to support local farms and food businesses through expanded visibility and agritourism opportunities while reconnecting locals and visitors with the people, places and stories behind their food.
“In creating the Western Montana Food & Farm Trail, we hope to inspire both residents and travelers to discover the stories behind their food and connect with the people cultivating a more vibrant, resilient and locally rooted food community,” said Bonnie Buckingham, Executive Director of Farm Connect Montana. “Participation in the Trail is a win for everyone. It creates new opportunities for farms and local food businesses to reach wider audiences while encouraging participants to explore new places, support local producers and experience Western Montana in a more meaningful way.”
“Land to Hand is thrilled to partner with Farm Connect on the Food and Farm Trail to highlight the robust agricultural heritage of Western Montana,” said Gretchen Boyer, Executive Director of Land to Hand Montana. “This initiative is more than just a guide – it’s an invitation to celebrate and support the local farmers who nourish our communities every day. By connecting residents and visitors directly to the source, we’re strengthening our local food system and honoring the people and landscapes that sustain the Flathead Valley.”
To celebrate the launch, regional Trail launch parties will take place in Missoula, the Bitterroot Valley and the Flathead Valley throughout early June, featuring Field Guide distribution, local food vendors, giveaways and opportunities to learn more about the Trail.
Trail Field Guides ($10) will be available for purchase beginning May 30 both online and at participating businesses, farmers markets and community locations throughout the region. A full list of Field Guide purchase locations and details, as well as a digital map and Trail listings, special events and more information is available at farmconnectmontana.org/trail.
Funding for this project was made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
Regional launch events
• Missoula Launch Party — LaLonde Ranch, Sun., June 7, 1-4 p.m.
• Bitterroot Launch Party — O’Hara Commons Market, Wed., June 10, 4-6 p.m.
• Flathead Launch Party — Backslope Brewing, Tue., June 16, 4-7:30 p.m.
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