MISSOULA — Almost a year after the closure of Roseburg Forest Products’ Missoula plant, a new venture will now occupy the space.

Utilizing 47 acres, Story House Montana will be a film and television production campus.

“The opportunity is to make anything and everything,” Story House president and CCO James Brown III said.

Studio at Story House, a major movie-making campus, opened Friday.

“We wouldn’t have to tear down these amazing buildings. We could renovate them and convert them into film sound stages,” Brown III shared. “You could shoot anything from a Marvel film to a small independent film, right? We have enough space, we have the crew, we have the talent.”

While 150 workers lost their jobs in Roseburg’s closure, Story House wants to retain and retrain them.

“Film production crew is blue-collar work. It’s electricians, it’s carpenters, it’s builders, it’s painters. I think it just gives an opportunity to learn new skills while also just elevating and fostering skills that they already have,” Brown III said.

The company, which has made another storytelling hub in Sheridan, WY, hopes to create new opportunities in the Garden City.

“When it’s all said and done and we’re up and fully operational, we can make up to 430 jobs,” Brown III said.

Story House says they want to be intentional and work with the community; that includes looking at Missoulian’s needs.

“We are also a real estate-backed company, so we are looking at the housing opportunities and the housing needs. Creating more jobs also creates the need for more housing and we’re well aware of that and really excited to take that on,” Brown III said.

The grand opening offered a first look into a space that will become anything and everything and we’ll keep you updated on the progress.

BILLINGS — A new tortilla shop is bringing the warmth of Mexico to Billings and holds cultural significance for the owners.

Watch the video below:

New tortilleria rolls out in Billings, brings a fresh taste of Mexico to Montana

Colima Tortilleria, located at 2212 Grant Road, sells fresh corn and flour tortillas by the pound each morning. They are made with a large tortilla-making machine shipped directly from Mexico, which pushes out 2,800 tortillas an hour.

“People say they feel excited when they come here and see the machine and say, like, ‘Wow, that’s a really fresh tortilla,’” said owner Rubi Murillo.

The process begins each day at 9 a.m. before the doors open at 11 a.m. to prepare the masa, or dough, and run the oven-like machine. Though they currently rotate between corn and flour tortillas daily, the plan is to eventually offer both all day. Customers can also enjoy tacos and snacks made with the tortillas on-site. Corn tortillas are made in a six-inch and four-inch size for tacos, while flour tortillas come in 6, 10, and 12-inch sizes. Most days, they sell out before closing.

The venture is new for Murillo, who said she did not learn to make tortillas until the equipment arrived.

“We start making the masa and we start making a process (…) to make the quality tortillas,” said Murillo. “It’s hard work because you have to use the machine, you have to check the temperature (to) make the tortillas, because it’s not the same when you make corn or flour.”

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

The tortilleria, which opened its doors at the end of April, is the latest venture for Murillo and her husband, Miguel, who are known for their other businesses: Fiesta Mexicana, Camachos Tacos, and Colima de Mis Amores, a Mexican store and bakery just next door to the tortilleria. The store sells various snacks, meals, clothing, and other goods not commonly found in the U.S.

“At the beginning, when I started to open the store, is because I (missed) home,” said Murillo.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

Murillo wanted to open the tortilleria to bring an authentic and fresh taste to Billings, and the plan came to fruition sooner than expected.

“I haven’t seen these tortillerias here in Billings, so I was thinking, ‘Why not bring the machine?’” said Murillo. “It’s not the same when you go to the store and buy frozen tortillas.”

The business has also helped fill a gap in their hearts, serving as a reminder of home. Murillo, who moved from Colima, Mexico, to the U.S. 10 years ago, remembers her own childhood trips to the local tortilleria.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

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“In Mexico, every day you go to buy tortillas from the tortilleria, come back to home and start eating like the dishes that you have with the fresh tortillas,” said Murillo. “That brings me memories when I was at home and my mom sent me, ‘Go for the tortillas! Bring the tortillas back!’”

Her mother, Natalia Ramirez, moved to the U.S. just last year and now works alongside her daughter in the kitchen.

“In Mexico, there’s a lot of tortillerias, but here is the only one. It’s a novelty here because people can take them warm, freshly made,” Ramirez said in Spanish.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

The tortilleria represents a dream fulfilled that ties two cultures together for Ramirez and her daughter. Helping launch the venture has been deeply emotional for her.

“I’m very proud of her,” said Ramirez. “Because she is a very hard-working person, very smart, has a lot of vision for business. She has always been a fighter.”
 
For the mother-daughter duo, these tortillas are a connection to home and a way to share the richness of Mexican culture with their Montana community.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

“Right now, it’s up and down in a lot of businesses, so I’m really appreciative because it’s been good,” said Murillo.

Colima Tortilleria is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MISSOULA — Here’s a look at Western Montana’s top news stories for Thursday.

A South African family labeled as refugees by the U.S. Department of State arrived in Missoula on Monday, aided by the International Rescue Committee and Soft Landing Missoula. The family’s arrival follows an expedited immigration process stemming from an executive order that claims Afrikaners face violence and property seizures in South Africa. (Read the full story)

Therma Wood Technologies in Polson offers an eco-friendly heat and pressure process to treat wood, eliminating harmful chemicals while enhancing durability. This method provides treated wood with a lifespan of about 20 years, significantly exceeding the typical seven to eight years of chemically-treated wood. (Read the full story)

Polson wood treatment company provides eco-friendly option

Flathead High School students showcased their heavy equipment skills on Wednesday through a hands-on program in partnership with the Montana Contractors Association. The Build Montana Initiative allows students to gain practical experience operating machinery, preparing them for future careers in construction while reinforcing the importance of a skilled workforce in Kalispell. (Read the full story)

Kalispell students showcase heavy machinery skills