“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
I don’t know if the vendors at Town Square Market have that quote hanging on the wall, but after spending time talking with them, they certainly live it.
When I walked into Town Square Market at 715 13th Avenue South, I expected to hear about handcrafted products, growing businesses, and unique gifts. Instead, I kept hearing the same word over and over again: community. Not once. Not twice. Nearly every person I interviewed used that word.
That told me something important.
This story isn’t really about a market.
It’s about people.
More Than a Place to Shop
Town Square Market occupies the former Gold’s Gym building in Great Falls, but calling it simply a marketplace doesn’t capture what it has become. Yes, you’ll find handcrafted gifts, home décor, woodworking, custom apparel, jewelry, artwork, specialty products, furniture, and dozens of locally owned businesses. But what makes this place different isn’t what’s on the shelves—it’s who’s standing behind them.
Every booth represents someone who decided to take a chance. Some are building a full-time business. Others are supplementing their income while working another job. Some simply wanted a place where their creativity could become something bigger. Each vendor has a different story, but together they’ve created something remarkable.
A Family of Entrepreneurs
The first person I spoke with was Diana Stidham of Diana’s Crafts. As she worked behind her sewing machine—creating products while greeting customers—she smiled and explained what keeps bringing people back.
“The Town Square Market has a sense of family. A community of artisans who grow and prosper while sharing our crafts with the community.”
That word—family—stuck with me.
Moments later, Sarah Edwards with Crafting for Sanity, one of the market’s permanent vendors and one of its leaders alongside Diana, shared a similar thought.
“A sense of community and belonging.”
Then Kortney Volk of Fallen Birch Co. added another piece to the puzzle.
“The sense of community with the vendors, but also as a community as a whole.”
By then, I realized I wasn’t hearing coincidence. I was hearing culture.
These aren’t simply vendors renting booths next to one another. They’ve become friends. They celebrate each other’s successes, encourage one another through challenges, and genuinely want everyone to succeed. In today’s business world, that’s something special.
Success Through Collaboration
One of the most impressive things about Town Square Market isn’t just the variety of vendors—it’s how they’ve chosen to work together.
Many of the business owners have full-time jobs or family responsibilities that prevent them from staffing their booths every day. Instead of allowing that to become a barrier, the market has created a cooperative system that makes entrepreneurship more accessible.
Each day, a scheduled vendor works their “pod”, welcomes customers, and processes purchases for everyone in the pod. In return, that person earns a commission on the day’s sales. The result is a partnership where vendors help one another, customers always have someone available to assist them, and businesses can continue making sales even when the owner can’t be there.
It’s a simple idea, but an incredibly effective one. Rather than asking, “How can my business succeed?” the culture encourages everyone to ask, “How can we all succeed together?”
That spirit of cooperation removes barriers that often keep talented people from sharing their products with the community.
The Joy of Discovery
One of my favorite comments came from Moriah Le Clair of BoxDrop Mattress, who laughed as she described her favorite part of working at the market.
“Watching people’s faces light up when they walk in. They have no idea what is here.”
She’s absolutely right.
From the outside, many people have no idea just how much is waiting inside. Once you begin walking through the aisles, you quickly realize this isn’t one business. It’s dozens of local dreams sharing one address, each offering something unique and each adding to the experience.
Opportunities for New Entrepreneurs
Town Square Market also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs who aren’t ready for a permanent booth.
Every third weekend of the month, the market hosts a special vendor event that welcomes additional businesses to showcase their products. For some, it’s a chance to test a new idea. For others, it’s an opportunity to introduce their products to new customers or begin growing a side business.
It’s another example of a community creating opportunities for others to succeed.
More Than Business
For Linda Arnold, one of the part-time vendors, the market offers much more than a place to sell handmade items.
“It’s a great place to bring the things I make and have a place to sell them. It’s also a great place to hang out with all my friends.”
Dave Delaney shared another reason he enjoys spending time there.
“It’s a great place to come see what is offered. It’s warm and dry, so no matter what the weather is doing, it’s nice to get out of the rain or stormy weather.”
Their comments reminded me that local businesses aren’t simply places where transactions happen. They’re gathering places where conversations begin, friendships grow, and community is strengthened.
Why This Matters
One of the reasons I started We Are Local was because I believe our communities become stronger when we know the people behind the businesses.
Town Square Market reminded me exactly why that mission matters.
This isn’t simply a building filled with booths. It’s a group of entrepreneurs who have chosen collaboration over competition, friendship over isolation, and community over convenience. They’ve built a place where people encourage one another, celebrate one another, and help one another grow.
In a world that often encourages us to go it alone, Town Square Market is proof that we accomplish far more when we work together.
If you haven’t visited yet, I encourage you to do more than shop. Take a few extra minutes to visit with the vendors. Ask about their businesses. Hear their stories. You may leave with a unique gift, but I have a feeling you’ll leave with something even more valuable—a renewed appreciation for the people who make our community such a special place to call home.
Town Square Market 📍 715 13th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 🕙 Tuesday–Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
At Town Square Market, they’re not just building businesses.
They’re building community.
At We Are Local, we believe every local business has a story worth telling. Because when we know the people behind the business, we don’t just shop local—we build stronger communities together.
