Sassafras

We love being part of Historic Downtown Kalispell!
https://www.facebook.com/flatheadcountylibrary/posts/pfbid02Dx5oDq232Cw9hXcH5cTxVxbLhK5NkKWr2w4qtTQ7J2zga9uzPojWV8gftKDZxkinl

Hey! It’s History Friday!

This week we have a photo of the inside of what was once The Brewery Saloon in 1910, and what is now Sassafras in 2026!

The building is located at 120 Main Street in Kalispell and was originally constructed in 1892 as The Brewery Saloon, one of the first brick buildings on Main Street, operated by German immigrants Charles and Henry Lindlahr. Known for five‑cent draft beers, free lunches, and an ornate mahogany and oak bar, it became a centerpiece of Kalispell’s early social and red-light district. In 1900, a second floor was added to house the men only Kalispell Club, offering billiards, reading rooms, card rooms, and the town’s first bowling alley. Over the decades, the building saw everything from a 1907 murder‑suicide outside its back entrance to government ordered ownership changes in 1919, and it adapted during Prohibition by selling candy, fishing gear, and soda while discreetly continuing liquor activities. It later endured gambling raids in the 1970s and a significant, but historically insensitive, remodel.

In 2001, the building’s original Victorian Queen Anne facade was meticulously restored, returning it to its early architectural look. Today, it houses Sassafras Art Co‑Op, a collaborative marketplace that has the inside riddled with works from local artisans. Its butter‑yellow, maroon, and silver exterior now welcomes visitors while preserving over a century of local history. Sassafras has operated in this location since its founding, continuing the building’s legacy as an active and beloved part of downtown Kalispell.

Source: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2014/06/10/landmarks-the-brewery-saloon/ https://www.sassafrascoop.com/our-history https://montanahistoriclandscape.com/2016/10/09/kalispells-main-street-business-district/

Photo: https://historicmt.org/items/show/465, 2026 photo taken by library staff, Liz Camarillo.

For more on Montana history, check out the 97.6 section of the library!

Come in and enjoy our fun new spring window display (and collect some beautiful locally made art to inspire your own celebrations this season!)

Thursday, May 8th is Ladies Night Out in downtown Kaispell! Sassafras will be open until 8 pm. Come see us!

Grab your girls—Ladies Night 2025 is coming in HOT!

Mark your calendars for May 8th and get ready for an epic evening in Historic Downtown Kalispell filled with laughter, cocktails, shopping, and unforgettable vibes!

Whether you're out for a glam night with your ride-or-dies or ready to make new memories with fabulous new faces, this night is all about YOU.

Expect sweet sips, fun surprises, and good times around every corner. So dust off your cutest outfit, tag your crew, and get ready to cheers the night away in true Montana style!

📍 Downtown Kalispell
🗓 May 8th
🎉 Good vibes only

https://www.facebook.com/events/1005430008209985/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Carole Edwards, one of lovely artists and seamstress extraordinaire, is retiring! Carole will be discounting her inventory for the month of January so be sure to stop in early to get the best pick from her incredible collection! And if you happen to be in town Saturday the 11th, you'll have the chance to wish her well in person (from Noon to 3pm)