Montana Ingenuity

On January 17, Jason and Jennifer Metcalf opened their new business, Chinook Automotive, LLC. Located at 428 Indiana Street, the Metcalfs will offer automotive repairs, diagnostics, and vehicle maintenance.

After closing on a deal to purchase the Chinook Tire and Lube & Sporting Goods building formerly owned by Chris Carpenter, Metcalf went right to work, moving into the building and arranging equipment on January 7.

Cassie Johnson, an agent with Lodestar Land and Home, served as a statutory broker for Carpenter and Metcalf who negotiated a deal privately. So that they could navigate the process with ease but avoid paying the full listing and buying percentage fees, Johnson simply charged a flat fee for writing up a buy-sell agreement, filing all the paperwork, and walking them through the closing.

Anticipating the sale of his business, Carpenter has been working with Aaron Morrow, owner of Big Sky Extracts. Carpenter learned of Morrow’s business while performing oil changes and tire repairs for him. Both also serve as volunteers with the Chinook Fire Department. Carpenter accepted Morrow’s offer with initial hesitation since he had no previous extracting experience. “As I’m helping him out, I’m learning more chemistry,” Carpenter commented.

Big Sky Extracts is in the business of extracting CBD from hemp to make salves and tinctures. Their 99.86% pure CBG isolate is used by companies like 406 CBD which carries coffee that is roasted by Rising Trout Café in Lewistown and infused with CBD. Using Montana sourced hemp and CBD from Big Sky Extracts, Hi-Country Snack Foods also makes Murphy’s Meaty CBD Treats for pets.

All of these connections and made-in-Montana ingenuity provide a testament to the saying: “Montana is just one long Main Street.” That slogan is often attributed to Senator Mike Mansfield, who served in the U.S. Senate for Montana from 1953-1977.