Montana Café Suddenly Up for Sale, Locals Hope Someone Saves It

Since opening its doors in May 2020, The Whistle Stop Cafe has become a staple in Columbus. Known for its juicy smash style burgers and old fashioned ice cream treats, the café quickly earned a loyal following thanks to its commitment to using high quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Turn Key Business in a Prime Location

Located at 306 E. Pike Avenue, The Whistle Stop Cafe currently operates in a leased space that includes a dine in seating area, fully equipped commercial kitchen, and generous storage. The building itself is not for sale, but everything inside, from kitchen equipment to supplies, is included in the listing (with just a few loaned decorations excluded).

Fully Staffed and Ready for a Seamless Takeover

The business runs year round on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and already has a trained team in place, making it a true turn key operation. The sale even includes the rights to the Whistle Stop LLC name. Current owner and operator, Heather Mico, is willing to train the next owner and stay on during the transition if needed.

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A Passion Project Paused by Life’s Unexpected Turns

Heather shares that when they signed their new lease in early 2024, they had big plans for the café. But life had other ideas. Due to unexpected changes in their personal lives, continuing to operate the business long term is no longer possible.

Hoping for a New Caretaker to Keep the Dream Alive

Rather than quietly close the doors, Heather is hoping to find someone who sees the potential and wants to keep the Whistle Stop’s legacy alive. “There is a lot of potential here we just don’t have the time for it anymore,” Heather wrote in a social media post.
The asking price is $100,000, though open for discussion for the right buyer.

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Now Accepting Serious Inquiries for the Next Owner

Anyone interested, or who knows someone who might be, can reach out directly to Heather at 406-321-2941. The Whistle Stop Cafe will remain open until further notice, but the search for new ownership has officially begun.