Shelby TBID
Feature Business of the week: Shelby TBID
Written by: Lorette Carter
Contact information:
112 1st Street South
Shelby, Montana 59474
406-434-5222 (City Hall)
lorette@shelbymt.com
Shelby Tourism Business Improvement District
Tourism is a vital part of the Shelby economy. A tourism business improvement district is a tool which allows communities to attract resident and non-resident tourism for local events, sporting venues, activities, and conventions by collecting a small assessment on overnight stays in our hotels. The Shelby Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) is the collaboration of Shelby’s lodging establishments which promote Shelby and the surrounding area in an effort to bring tourist trade to Shelby.
Active for over 10 years, the Shelby TBID has sponsored or funded nearly half a million dollars in events, projects and programs that benefit our community. The TBID supports the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce in staff funding, supplies, web costs, annual functions, and projects. Shelby Schools benefit in support of the Coyote Classic as well as divisional and state tournaments that bring teams and fans to Shelby. Other groups including Marias Valley Golf Course, the Shelby Kiwanis, Next Generation Conference, Voices of Tourism, and City of Shelby have all benefited greatly from the generosity of the Shelby TBID. The SHELBY sign is one example of the tremendous support of the TBID! The new digital message center at Albertsons Park is another shining example of the TBID’s investment in Shelby. The goal is always to encourage visitors to stay in our community, eat in our restaurants, shop in our unique retail shops, and enjoy their visit to Shelby.
The TBID offers granting opportunities. If you, your group, or organization is planning an event in Shelby that brings people for an overnight stay, the TBID can assist in covering some of the expense. Events like 3-on-3 basketball tournaments; quilting workshops; sports tournaments; state organization meetings …any event that welcomes people to stay in Shelby! An application form is available through the Office of Community Development at lorette@shelbymt.com
Written by: Shane Adams:
When I first took this position at the Chamber. I never heard of the term, TBID. In short order, I learned very fast what it does, and how much of a positive impact it can have in a community! Being affiliated with the Chamber I am invited to attend the Shelby TBID meetings. At these meetings I learned the value of what and why the TBID will grant funding towards. The funding is widespread, just as Lorette explained above. The members of TBID are the motels in town, where the money is generated from. Without these motels pumping money into TBID these projects Lorette spoke of would not be possible around the Shelby community. I thought this week would be a good week to feature Shelby TBID, as the new electronic reader sign was installed recently, where everyone literally can see how much of an upgrade this sign is compared to the old sign!! I realize Shelby TBID is not per say a business, it does play a major role in our community and feel worthwhile featuring what it does. Whether or not you are aware of Shelby TBID, though, this is good information for people to know about!! In a nutshell the way I see it, TBID is investing into the future of Shelby. Trying to bring people to the Shelby area to spend money in our community. Which is good for everyone. Thank you to the members of TBID for what you do for the community of Shelby. Current Shelby TBID members are: Comfort Inn of Shelby, Best Western Shelby Inn & Suites, and OYO Hotel.
Shelby Tire LLC
Feature Business of the week:
Shelby Tire, LLC
Gilbert Martinez
520-858-6138
ShelbyTireRepair@Gmail.com
Find Shelby Tire LLC on Facebook.
Shelby Tire LLC interview by Jennifer Van Heel Shelby Promoter May 25, 2022.
Hours of operation Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We work after hours and on weekends for an additional fee. we are also on the Sheriff's dispatch.
“The little man with a BIG plan.” Gilbert Falcon, father of Shelby resident Gilbert (Gilly) Martinez, came up with his big plan years ago after working for 17 years in Arizona for Roberts Tires. Falcon was a roadside tire serviceman for years, but when he moved into management at the company and saw what the customer was being charged in comparison to what he was being paid, he decided it was time to make a change.
“It took me two years of saving every dime I had to purchase a service truck and the tools needed to open my business,” recalled Falcon. “But I did it. My wife worked at Little Caesars during that time, we lived on pizza.”
Living on pizza and squirreling away every possible cent paid off as Falcon has now proudly owned his own mobile tire service, Casa Grande Repair, located in Arizona, since 1996. The big plan doesn’t stop there though, as Falcon’s business is expanding as a family business with his son, Gilly, offering mobile tire service now in Shelby, Shelby Tire LLC.
“I am out here in Shelby, Montana, looking for the opportunity to offer service to the people in the community,” said Falcon with a smile.
“We don’t want to step on any toes,” said Gilly. “But I noticed when I worked at Mark’s Tire for a year that there was just some stuff we couldn’t always do- roadside, nights, weekends. We could help people out when they aren’t available and pick up that end of things. We are trying to create a solution.”
Shelby Tire LLC is offering service to commercial vehicles to start with, semis, off-road equipment, and hoping to expand once they have been in business for awhile. The service is entirely mobile, wherever in the area you may be, they will come to you whether it be roadside, out on a gravel road or in the field. The new service truck is fully equipped, with Falcon having put in over $70,000 to make sure everything needed is brand new and ready to go.
“I have a reliable, respected business in Casa Grande and I want to expand that to Shelby,” said Falcon. "I am here to make sure people don't have to spend the night on the side of the road," said Gilly.
Written by: Shane Adams:
I respect a person who does a manual job, Gilbert from what he shared with me, is not afraid to work hard & puts in long hours. I know people who work in tire shops and it's hard, dirty work. Got to respect those people helping keep you and I on the road, helping keep the truckers hauling all of our merchandise to the stores, helping keep the farmers and ranchers going while they supply the food we eat, etc etc. They play a big part in keeping commerce alive and going! When your on the road and a tire issue comes up, that can ruin a day quickly!! I first met Gilbert just a few weeks ago. After doing some errands one day I looked in the drop box to find a bunch of his business cards sitting there when I returned back to the Chamber office. He is not a member of the Chamber, so I called him at the number on his card. Good conversation, within a couple of hours he was standing in my office signing up as a Chamber member. Since then he attended one of our Chamber meetings, I can tell he wants to be active and involved in the community. When I asked him about being a feature business of the week, he gladly accepted. He sent me the article above that Jen Van Heel wrote to use in this feature. After reading the article, it is a good read and felt it was very suitable to use in todays feature. I verified with Jen that using the article would be OK in my feature and she said absolutely no problem.
I wish Gilbert the best in his endeavor. I think he can do well with the niche of road side assistance using his work truck as a mobile repair station serving Shelby and the surrounding area! Welcome aboard as a Chamber Member, Gilbert!!
Mountain Moments Photography
Feature Business of the week:
Mountain Moments Photography
Written by: Emilie Vetch
Emilie Vetch
951-323-5078
Hours of Operation:
By appointment
I started Mountain Moments 5 years ago as a side job when I decided to stay home with my kids full time. I have always had a passion for photography, and love to capture special moments to look back on. It has since turned into a full time job that I enjoy being able to bring to the community.
Since moving to Shelby almost 3 years ago, youth sports photos have become one of my favorite types of photo shoots. I get to incorporate a little bit of fun editing into these, and I love working with the kids and seeing all of their different personalities come out in their photos. I also offer family and milestone sessions.
I would love to capture your next session, I am always available to answer questions through text or on my Facebook page.
Written by: Shane Adams:
I have gotten to know Emilie over the last few months since I moved from Miles City to Shelby back in January. Her community involvement has had our paths cross many times. I personally feel that is important in small towns like Shelby, esp with running your own business being a part of the community in one way or another. With my short time here in Shelby so far, she has helped with Chamber events such as the Chamber Banquet and the Dodgeball Tournament. I'm confident she’ll be helping again in future events. Other items I have seen her helping with around the community: Little Guy Wrestling program, T-Ball for the kiddos, 4H, Walk N’ Wheels/Fit Friday’s, & the Fun Run day at the School so far. Other activities she has helped with is coaching soccer, member of the Elks, member of the Home and School, Canvas Kids Youth Group in Cut Bank, along doing photos for the Chambers Haunted House last fall. Thank You Emilie for the involvement you put forth into the local community events! With her Photography business I have seen her work and is a great photographer. I hope if any of you reading this needs any Photography done, you’ll reach out to Emilie to see what she can do for you. Check the pictures out with this email and you will see she has an eye for capturing the moment!
Quilt With Class
Feature Business of the week: Quilt with Class
Written by: Bonnie Nickol
Bonnie Nickol, owner and contact
131 4th Ave S
Shelby, MT 59474
406-434-5801
quiltwithclass@hotmail.com
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-2
Or by appointment
We are a retail quilt shop that has been in business since 1995. We carry fabric, books, patterns and notions for quilters of every skill level. We offer classes and private instruction and we also sell finished quilted items from quilts to wall hangings to table runners to bags of all shapes and sizes. One of our most popular items for sale is our great selection of clocks. You don’t have to be a quilter to find something you will love in our shop!
We pride ourselves in our friendly and knowledgeable customer service- our customers become our friends.
Come check us out – the coffee is always on and we can help you make your next work of art!
Written by Shane Adams:
Bonnie invited me to one of the Quilt classes she hosts in her shop. I did not know what to expect, showing up to a group of 11 women sitting around some tables proved to be a great and enjoyable time. It was more than just talking about fabrics and sewing. Lots of laughs to say the least!! For those who were present could confirm the topics were widespread! Even though today all women were present, Bonnie stated a fair number of men go through those doors who shop and sew as well. These women were from Shelby, Cut Bank, Valier, and even Great Falls. While listening I learned Bonnie has been in business for 28 years, with 18 of those years at the current location. Her shop used to be a car dealership at one point, and a dry cleaning shop as well. Another interesting thing I learned, while a lot of these quilts these ladies make, go to family members as gifts or what not, many also go to various organizations to help those causes as well. Quilts of Valor, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, many places that help children or families in need to just name a few. I did get to see a sample of finished Quilts these ladies made, as they had show and tell time during the class. Impressive!! If any time you're in need with anything to do with sewing or fabric, or bags, purses, clocks and much much more, make sure to stop in to see what Bonnie has to offer. It's a cool small town locally owned shop.