Future revamp for Bozeman’s past

Bozeman experienced one of its very first tastes of what modern city life was like all the way back in 1957 — right across the street from campus.

Located on College St., across from the university, is the city’s first shopping center, referred to as West Gate Village, named by a contest during its grand opening. It was built after World War II by architect Hugo Eck, a former MSU architecture professor. Little did he know, this small strip was about to become the hub of the university and city, housing many well known shops and other businesses throughout the years.

Now, almost seven decades later, business owners on the street are looking back in time through projects designed to bring its history to life.

One of those restaurants is Colombo’s, a beloved pizza joint opened by Joe and Janet Colombo in 1985 and now owned by their daughter Cassie Colombo and her husband, Seth Cooper. It's one of the longest-run family owned restaurants in Bozeman, attracting anyone who loves a good slice of pizza or likes to challenge their friends to a good ‘ole game of skee ball.

“We are honored to be a part of this community, we've been here for 37 years now. We're so grateful,” Colombo said.

Colombo’s, along with other stores in the strip are planning on doing a historical restoration of the property. 

“It's a celebrated era and a celebrated style of architecture these days,” Cooper said. “The simplicity and practicality of mid century modern design is being more recognized.”

They plan on reorganizing parking and restoring sidewalks and hope to partner with MSU architecture and art students for a restoration project that highlights the historical significance of this building. Some of the ideas Cooper mentioned were restoring the West Gate Village sign or painting a new mural on the side of the building. 

“We think it's a really important building for servicing both the neighborhood and for the MSU community,” Cooper said.

Nancy Mahoney, the owner of Moka Boutique, another store within the shopping center, said, “I’m very excited about the fact that this is a 1950s shopping center, the first one in Bozeman and that they're going to do some work to bring that historic character back.” Like Cooper, she hopes to bring back that original spark the center gave the community when it was originally built. “I think it has a lot of potential to feel mid century modern and fun and funky and appeal more to the whole neighborhood,” Mahoney said.

This shopping center was once the first glimpse of urban life, and that is something to remember when walking or driving by these shops. Stop by and embrace the historical significance their buildings have to offer and support small business owners because that’s what’s been keeping it alive.