Flathead Business Celebrates 70 Years

​By Mackenzie Dougherty 
Posted: Nov 24, 2017 09:18 PM MST
Updated: Nov 24, 2017 09:55 PM MST

KALISPELL, Mont. - Snappy’s Sport Senter in Kalispell is celebrating its 70th anniversary this week with prizes and huge sales. 

In 1947 Snappy’s was just a service station. 
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"The very first retail item we had at Snappy’s in 1947 was a Snickers candy bar for five cents" said owner B.J. Lupton.

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Now 70 years later the store has grown into a huge sporting goods center, with batting cages, a pond, an art gallery and so much more. For the celebration there are balloons all throughout the store that say happy birthday.

"Celebrating 70 is a big deal, and the heart of Snappy’s is giving to our community. We like to say ‘We are with you and for you,’ when we talk to our customers and countless friends," said Lupton. 

One of the reasons Snappy’s has been around so long is because it really serves the community. A local Columbia Falls artist, Allen Jimmersons, has been showcasing his artwork and painting on the second floor for years.

"I've been up here at Snappy’s for 16 years now," said Jimmerson.

He visited the sporting goods store before it became his workplace. 

"I remember coming in here when I was a kid, and it’s grown over the years.  It’s gotten better and better. The community supports the store 100 percent," said Jimmerson.

Lupton always looks to give back to the community. For the celebration this week he is offering 70 items on sale, a wheel for customers to spin to win prizes and huge sales throughout the store.

"We have many, many, many hundreds of prizes and, of course, the grand prize of a $700 shopping spree," said Lupton. 

Lupton’s son, Jon, has exciting news as well. He will be taking over the store once his dad steps down.

"It's neat to be able to carry that on -- something my grandfather started. Certainly there is some pride in that as a family business," said Jon Lupton.

They hope to celebrate many more milestone anniversaries in the future.
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The final celebration will be Dec. 2. They will draw the winners of the prizes and have a cake for their customers. 

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/kcfw/flathead-business-celebrates-70-years/661693874

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