New Name and New Management for Little River Trading Post
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As of December 14, the convenience store and fuel stop formerly known as Fort Belknap Kwik Stop and located at the intersection of US Highway 2 and Montana Highway 66 is open for business under a new name.
In addition to providing fuel and a diverse variety of other convenience store items, Little River Trading Post (LRTP) will have store hours from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. At the time of this article's writing, store personnel were waiting to hear about the status of their alcohol and tobacco licensing. All paperwork has been completed and filed, and those licenses are expected to be in place soon. Anyone wishing to check on the status of that licensing is encouraged to call LRTP at (406) 353-4964.
According to store manager, Eddy Moore, the long-term vision for LRTP is to ultimately offer fresh produce, as well as locally sourced meat, eggs, and milk products. "We are excited to announce that we will also be adding a new hot/cold deli section very soon!"
Moore added that ultimately LRTP hopes to remodel beyond just cleaning, painting, and replacing countertops. "Right now, we have the basic snack goods, chips, coffee bar, beverages, and other convenience store items. But we're focused on giving people access to a suitable shopping option. We're in our rebranding phase, where we are building networks and securing grocery distribution and other supply partners. Eventually, we'll get new fuel tanks and secure produce, grocery items, and housewares-making this place into a one-stop shopping experience."
To celebrate reopening under new management, LRTP is using customer receipts to hold a drawing every hour over the next few days. This is part of the store's soft launch. They will give away a variety of door prizes as gestures of appreciation and to say, 'thank you for allowing us to serve you!' Winners will be announced via social media at the end of each day.
Moore encouraged people to stop by, say hello, and let store personnel know what they think. "We value your feedback and look forward to serving our tribal community, travelers, and commuters alike-for years to come!"
After 20 years of off-reservation management, the Island Mountain Development Group (IMDG) assumed management of the Kwik Stop on December 1. This change marked a milestone for the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC) since it meant a return of store management under IMDG leadership.
As part of this change, the business' name became Little River Trading Post, and the FBIC Council allocated funding for the store's remodel. Inspired by Red Paint Creek Trading Post at Lodgepole, IMDG and store management is seeking the community's feedback on the store offerings, including recommendations for the deli.
"We appreciate the community's patience as management rebuilds the store to be a source of pride for our reservation," Moore stated.
