Blackfoot Commercial Company & Ovando Inn

Goal: Managers DJ Sharp and his wife Alona strive to keep locals and tourists happy with the products and services they offer. Being one of the major businesses in Ovando, they feel it is important to "keep things rolling" for themselves and the community.

History: The Blackfoot Commercial Company started off as a dry goods store in the 1880s. The building burned in 1919 and was rebuilt in its current location in the early 1940s. When the Cenex Cooperation decided to sell in 1996, Howie and Peggy Fly purchased the Blackfoot Commercial with one goal in mind, keep the town going.

Mike and Liz Raymond purchased the business from the Flys and took ownership Dec. 27, 2013. They were attracted to the small town atmosphere and the opportunity to be closer to family. Their daughter Alona left her job in the Flathead Valley and son-in-law DJ Sharp left his job in North Dakota to move to Ovando to manage the store and inn. "We are making it ours," said DJ. "We are still keeping it what it was but are giving it a face lift by adding merchandise and new construction to the building. We've found the people like change."

DJ added that his whole family is a jack-of-all-trades so they have been doing the improvements themselves.

Products and Services: The Blackfoot Commercial is set up as an old-time country store complete with groceries, snacks, gas, tire changing service and tires, propane and air. They also have a complete espresso bar and offer six different flavors of hard ice cream in a cone or a cup. They feature local artisans work in the store.

The Ovando Inn has six rentable rooms: four singles and two doubles, each with their own bathroom. The main lobby is complete with a full kitchenette which guests are welcome to use.

For More Information: The Blackfoot Commercial is open year-round Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sat. from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For information or reservations call 793-5555, email dasharp88@blackfoot.net or visit the website http://www.ovandoinn.com and Facebook page.