Business owners in Arlee are hopeful the recent opening of a new sister business of a well-known Hungry Horse restaurant and tourist outlet will bring folks into the tiny town.

The Huckleberry Patch opened on U.S. 93 on the southern end of Arlee in early July. It is a satellite store of the well-known Huckleberry Patch restaurant and gift store in Hungry Horse, owned by Ladd Lincoln.

General Manager Sarah Sorenson said the new Huckleberry Patch was hopping over the Fourth of July weekend as people filled the streets for the community’s pancake breakfast, powwow, parade, and rodeo.

A staff of 18 employees has been hired to help run the satellite business. It is a significant increase in employment for a town that had around 600 people as of the last U.S. Census.

“It’s really gone well,” Sorenson said. “The staff came in mostly inexperienced, all local Arlee people. It’s been pretty busy.”

The Arlee cafe and gift shop offers all of the huckleberry and Montana-themed merchandise that the Hungry Horse store carries. Signature huckleberry pies and ice cream are the highlight desserts to a menu that includes American favorites with locally themed names such as the Pistol Creek, a pork sandwich with huckleberry sauce, or the Grey Wolf Dip, a sandwich that includes huckleberry barbecue sauce and rib-eye steak.

Elk and bison burgers are also available for those who want a distinct wilder taste of Montana, with huckleberry milkshakes and coffee available to wash down the main dishes.

Early birds can grab breakfast, with almost all meals including huckleberry pancakes.

Dining includes a lodge-looking indoor seating area and an outdoor area where people can chow down and enjoy looking out over Dancing Boy, a geographic scar in the side of the Mission Mountains that looks like a dancing boy. Dancing Boy is set among pristine jagged peaks placed above flowing grassland that make a dramatic, but soothing background for a quiet meal.

“Everything is huckleberry,” Sorenson said. “You can even see it in the colors,” she said pointing out purple decor around the shop and her own lavender shirt.

The business also has cherry products that feature Flathead Lake cherries.

Local business owners have been singing the praises of the shop.

Donna Mollica, owner of the Hangin’ Art Gallery, said she is “absolutely delighted” that the Lincoln family purchased the building and brought the Huckleberry Patch to Arlee. Mollica said when U.S. 93 was split into a couplet in 2009 businesses in the town suffered.

“All of our businesses lost a substantial amount of regular traffic,” Mollica said. “It’s been very difficult to draw people off those southbound lanes into town. The Huckleberry Patch will do that ... It solves a problem we’ve had for seven years.”

Mollica also was hopeful that business owner Ladd Lincoln will bring more than a good business to town.

“He understands the importance of businesses being good community members,” Mollica said. “I think we’ve added a business person here who will help invigorate the activities we do as a community beyond the business aspect.”

Aside from the benefits to the town, Mollica also had a chance to eat at the gift shop. She said the huckleberry products were reasonably priced. The onion rings were “exactly the way I like them,” she said.

Word’s already getting around town about the good food.

Troy Hoyt is owner of the Hummingbird Toys and Treats, Arlee’s oldest continuously operated business.

“I’ve heard nothing but really good reviews on their food,” Hoyt said. “The only complaint I’ve heard is that the breakfasts are so big folks can’t finish them.”

Hoyt also said he hopes the Huckleberry Patch will help pull people into town. Even though Hoyt’s shop competes in some types of merchandise, he said he was happy to see the Huckleberry Patch opening.

“They have a nice gift shop,” Hoyt said. “The Lincolns really know what they are doing.”

Sorenson said people who can’t make it down to the Huckleberry Patch can have items shipped directly home via the online store. The restaurant even ships the signature huckleberry pies. For more information visit www.huckleberrypatch.com.

Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.