Carquest in Columbia Falls now under local ownership
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 6 months AGO
Andrew Sikveland bought the Carquest store on St. Patrick’s Day.
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | March 24, 2021 6:10 AM
The Carquest Auto Parts in Columbia Falls is now locally owned. Andrew Sikveland bought the store on St. Patrick’s Day. He previously owned the Carquest store in Scobey.
He’s bought a house in Columbia Falls.
Sikveland said he’s been trying to buy the Columbia Falls store for several years now. He said an added attraction is his tattoo artist lives in Whitefish. He’s been with the the company for 23 years now and this is the fifth store he’s either owned or managed. It was previously owned by the company. Now it’s a franchise, which gives Sikveland more flexibility of store operation and prices.
The first order of business he said will be cleaning up the store and making it more customer- friendly.
“Nothing will really change, other than hopefully better service and lower prices,” he said. He also plans on expanding the parts line to serve heavy duty and commercial truck lines.
“I came from a rural community,” where those parts were often in demand by farmers and ranchers who owned big rigs. This store has Hanson Trucking in its backyard, In addition to parts, it also sells tools and other items used by mechanics and enthusiasts.
Sikveland also plans on selling Oakley and Maui Jim sunglasses.
Carquest started out as Valley Motor Supply in 1983 and was bought by Advanced Auto Parts in 2013. The Carquest line of parts is the higher end line.
There are more than 8,000 Carquest/Advanced Auto Parts stores nationwide.
Sikveland said if they don’t have a part in stock, they can usually get it within a day.
The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
ARTICLES BY CHRIS PETERSON
Columbia Falls High School $76M bond election fails for second time
Would have increased property taxes by $321 annually for a primary home assessed for $600K
"While this wasn't the result we hoped for, our mission doesn't end here," the community group Yes4CFHS posted. "We will continue to advocate for safety, opportunity, and better facilities for all of our Wildcats."
Flathead Valley developer Ruis responds to federal indictment
Flathead Valley developer Alvin “Mick” Ruis and two other men face federal charges of major fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and criminal forfeiture from a case involving scaffolding contracts with the U.S. Navy in 2020 and 2021.
Columbia Falls High School bond election fails for second time
The Columbia Falls School District 6 bond election to build a new high school failed to pass muster with voters Tuesday, with a preliminary tally of 2,430-1,547.