Proposed location for multi-use development, municipal liquor store space identified

Just over 2.5 acres of property adjacent to Hillside Avenue Southwest and 11th Street Southwest have been identified as the proposed site for a multi-use development that would include Pine City’s new location for municipal liquor store operations.

According to information from the city, the development is proposed for two adjoining parcels, valued at $443,700 on Beacon.

In an interview on Feb. 6, mayor Kent Bombard explained that the city is still early in the timeline of exploring moving liquor store operations from the Voyageur Bottle Shop on Main Street.

“At this point, we’ve signed a letter of engagement with a developer to look into expanding our liquor store to a new location,” Bombard said. “At that new location, we would be looking at a 30-year lease.”

Bombard explained that when that lease expires, the city would then take ownership of the space.

The letter of engagement — signed with Big Fork Valley Log Cabins, LLC — allows for “preliminary design services for building layout and exterior design,” according to the resolution passed at a special meeting on Jan. 29.

According to the resolution, the new municipal liquor store facility would be part of a multi-use “larger private development project.”

The proposed space would nearly double the liquor store’s current footprint, from about 5,000 square feet to 9,200 square feet.

Bombard said the new location would be “highly visible” and a convenient location from the freeway, while still being walkable from the downtown area.

“The new location is also going to be great for campers and boats,” said liquor operations manager Lara Smetana. “Because our location right now is not.”

Bombard anticipated the city council reviewing plans and drawings for the development within the next couple of months.

Read more: Pine City in early stages of exploring moving municipal liquor store operations