Columbia Falls residents can look forward to more Mexican food in their neighborhood next year. Taco Bell plans to open a new location in Columbia Falls, although the upcoming restaurant is months away from serving up its first batch of tacos.

“We’re looking to start construction in August, 2020,” said Vern Deveraux with Taco Bell’s management. At this point, he could not say exactly when the company expects the fast-food restaurant to be open for customers.

With Columbia Falls’ local reputation as an “up and coming” community, Deveraux said “we felt that Columbia Falls would be a good second unit” in the Flathead Valley.

The Columbia Falls’ expansion is intended to spread out the restaurant’s presence in the Flathead Valley. Currently, there is only one Taco Bell located on East Idaho Street in Kalispell. The next-closest Taco Bell is in Polson. Deveraux said he hopes the Columbia Falls location will help “take some pressure from the one in Kalispell.”

The new location is also geared toward Taco Bell’s current employees in the Valley. Deveraux said the decision to expand into Columbia Falls is partly intended “create an opportunity for those living in Columbia Falls to not have to travel the distance [to Kalispell], enabling them to spend more time with family.”

The company already has selected a Columbia Falls resident as the general manager for the new site, and Deveraux expressed hope to hire the rest of the staff from there as well. However, he admitted they have had difficulties in the early stages of hiring the new staff. At this point, he couldn’t be sure exactly how many employees they’ll hire.

The new location will be built on what is currently an empty lot on U.S. 2, between the Family Health Care Columbia Falls Clinic and CGR Tires and Service.

While Deveraux explained the hours have yet to be solidified, Taco Bell is expected to be a significant addition to the late-night food scene in Columbia Falls. He guessed the restaurant will “more than likely” be open from 7 a.m. to midnight. But he mentioned the hours will “depend on demand and staffing.”

At this early stage, he emphasized many of the details “depend quite a bit on the staffing we get hired ahead of time.”

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.