Heather Matthews has gone from customer to owner of the Northern Lights Saloon and Cafe in Polebridge.

The popular bar and restaurant is adjacent to the famed Polebridge Mercantile. Both are long-standing establishments that serve an eclectic mix of customers from around the world drawn to the remote community located near the west side of Glacier National Park. There are also the locals, most of whom live off the grid.

And that’s what attracted Matthews, who loves people and recently completed a master’s degree in nutrition. She has been in the restaurant business for many years as a waitress and bartender. Owning a restaurant was something she strove toward.

“I always knew I would own my own business,” Matthews said. “I love people and when I got my master’s in nutrition I thought, what better way to mesh the two together.”

Matthews snapped at the chance to make an offer on the property when she saw it for sale online.

“I was graduating school and looking to move into the next chapter of my life. I saw it and I said ‘I have to have it,’” Matthews said.

She made an offer the next day. The previous owners were John and Joyce O’Hara and Bob and Kathy Reiswig.

“Polebridge has a special place in my heart. It’s a community and a family like no other,” she said.

Matthews, of Whitefish, has visited Polebridge for 20 years. She now lives on the property behind the saloon.

“They call my house in the back the modern house because I have electricity and running water in my cabin,” Matthews said.

On a recent Friday afternoon a crowd gathered outside the saloon well before it opened at 4 p.m. Friday is pizza night. The special on the menu was a pork, pineapple, jalapeno and barbecue sauce pizza. Pizza night is just one of the traditions Matthews will continue along with prime rib nights every Saturday. With the building came original recipes from 1970s when the building was turned into a saloon.

“I’m pretty much keeping it the same. I want to keep the feeling,” Matthews said. “Of course there will be a few new items.”

Old black-and-white photographs taken of the building throughout different eras hang on one wall.

“These are the Adairs,” Matthews said, pointing to one of the photos. “They built the property in 1912. This was their house and they opened The Mercantile, which was the general store.”

Matthews shared more history when a couple of eager customers walked in.

“Hang on guys, we’re not open yet. Just a couple of minutes,” Matthews said. “People are excited tonight.”

Waitress Julie Nelson of Polebridge routinely goes outside to get drink orders as a courtesy while customers wait for the saloon to open. This is Nelson’s fourth year working at the saloon.

What makes working there different from other restaurants, Nelson said, is “we’re off the grid.” The saloon operates off solar power and a generator.

That means no blended margaritas, Nelson said, pouring drinks behind the bar.

While many things will stay the same, Matthews plans to put her stamp on the establishment with new traditions such as opening during lunch hours and over the winter. She hopes to get a musician to play on a daily basis.

She also has plans to expand the menu with vegan options. Catering for weddings and other special events is also in the works. Her goal is to also put her nutrition degree to work by organizing nutrition retreats. With all the changes, the saloon is looking to hire a chef.

The grand reopening of Northern Lights Saloon is planned at 4 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 with entertainment and drink and dinner specials.

“Without my employees I couldn’t have done this. They made the transition really nice for me. They are quite the family to walk into,” Matthews said. “This is an amazing place to be, and I’m so happy to be the new owner.”

Northern Lights Saloon and Saloon is located at 255 Polebridge Loop Road. For more information call 888-9963 or look for the saloon on Facebook.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.