POLSON – A Flathead area juice-making company is expanding as some big name grocery stores begin picking up the product.
Its made from locally-grown cherries, which is why its creator says it has a special quality to it.
“Montana just has this mystique,” says Tabletree Montana owner Gary Snow.
He says the mystique of Montana can be found in the products that come from its soil. Snow owns Tabletree Montana, a juice-making business sourcing Flathead area cherries he says make all the difference in creating this blossoming product.
“It’s just kind of the perfect storm of climate and soil and growing practices that make for good fruit. And you’ve got to start with good fruit for good juice.”
Tabletree cherry juice sold 52,000 small bottles last year after moving their Canada business to the Treasure state a couple years ago. Now, the product is growing in popularity. Some franchise grocery stores like Costco plan to pick up more large-size bottles.
“Overall we’ll have more to sell. We’re really going for like three or four times more than what we did in the big bottles last year, because we found that there is a good market for those.”
Their production is seasonal now, but they plan to branch out into apple or pear juice that can be produced in the winter months.
— There are some many wonderful events happening in Polson in August. Here are just a few.
- Friday and Saturday August 10 and 11: Anderson Broadcasting Summerfest. There will be a Poker Run, Music, Car show with cars from all over the country in Polson.
- Friday August 17 and Saturday August 18: 8th Annual Flathead Lake Blues Festival at the Regata Shoreline Amphitheatre. The Friday showcases musicians from all over western Montana, including C.D. Woodberry as headliner. The Saturday show is the Pacific-Northwest All-Star Revue with a 19 piece band consisting of the best of the best. You can find ticket info online.
- Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Polson is the Farmers Market. You can find homegrown vegetables and fruits, local baked goods, crafts, jewelry and more.
For other activities and events check out the Polson Chamber of Commerce.
