Early in the morning as you pull up to Big Mountain Farm Stand along Montana 135 in St. Regis, there is almost an alpenglow of warmth beckoning you into the European-style hut. Inside the rounded arch wooden doorway, shoppers will find a collection of homemade and heartfelt creations to fill a pantry and serve at the dinner table.

Amy Lowry and Amanda Gillette are the co-founders of the newly opened roadside farm market that looks straight out of a Swedish village. The two best friends turned business partners were aiming to live a healthier lifestyle as they overcome some medical challenges together. Through it they found a friendship rooted in faith, a passion for homestead production, family, a love of baking and a life always with chickens afoot.

Their self-service shed on wheels turned into the mini farmhouse market. Just inside the farmstand shoppers find freshly baked breads below a“Give us this day our daily bread” sign. Colorful jars of pickled green beans, carrots, salsa and cucumbers line the center table. Eggs from the chickens that peck around just behind the farmstand are for sale by the dozen or even pickled. Tasty treats like chocolate chip cookies, cakes, doughnuts and braided breads are just a few varieties on hand.

All of their baked goods are made with simple ingredients, no preservatives or anything artificial.

Lowry remarked, “You are what you eat.”

“I told my kids you can’t just come out and grab stuff,” Gillette laughed, referencing the stockpile of sweets and treats for sale, and the three hungry adolescents she has under her roof.

The name behind the stand came from something Gillette and Lowry love to do. 

“We love to go chase big mountains, we go on drives together to the Missions, and the down in the Bitterroot," Gillette explained. "So, Big Mountain made sense.”

After months of tossing around ideas of starting a roadside farm stand on a smaller scale, the two friends focused on their gardens in the spring and summer, and their animals. Then out of the blue Lowry saw a sign to move forward.

“It kind of came together very suddenly,” Lowry said. 

She spotted the listing for the trailer and told Gillette about, from there it all just came together. Once they got the farmstand to St. Regis they put a fresh coat of paint on and the metal roofing, improved the insulation and added décor.

Lowry who is currently on hiatus from her job as a school bus driver, has put all her eggs in one basket so to speak. 

“I put all my savings in this, buying the farmstand. And now it’s in God’s hands.”

Gillette added, “We weren’t really sure what our expectations were.” 

But on opening day last Thursday they had a great turn out. The pair hope to expand their selections with the holidays ahead like pumpkin pies and Christmas cookies, or even accept special orders. Lowry would love to provide raw milk in the future, and other naturally based products like soaps and lotions.

Big Mountain Farmstand is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and will remain open throughout the winter season. It is a self-service farmer kiosk with an honor system. They can accept digital payments, as well as cash. Be sure to stop by for a treat, and for more information you can message Amanda and Amy through Big Mountain Farmstand’s Facebook page.