Department of Commerce Announces Virginia City, Nevada City Concessionaire Leases
Author: Brian Miller, Independent Record and Montana Standard Managing Editor
Brian Miller
Independent Record and Montana Standard Managing Editor
This article was previously printed in the March 21 Independent Record and printed here with the author's permission.
There will be 10 returning concessionaires and five new ones operating businesses in Virginia City and Nevada City this summer, the Montana Heritage Commission and Department of Commerce announced Thursday.
The announcement comes about three months after the department canceled and reissued new leases for businesses operating in the two historic cities, as well as for Helena’s Reeder’s Alley, which included new revenue-sharing requirements.
Those new requirements rankled some lessees, as did the quick turnaround for them to make a decision on whether to sign the new leases. The properties are owned by the Montana Heritage Commission, which is attached to the Department of Commerce, and some of the owners sued the department earlier this year over the changes, though the suit was closed in early February.
The department said part of the reason it was reviewing and redoing leases was in response to the former Heritage Commission executive director embezzling $380,000 from the commission between 2020 and 2024. He received a three-year prison sentence in January and was ordered to pay $280,000 in restitution.
The department and commission said Thursday 10 concessionaires agreed to the new lease terms and will be back this year: They include Bale of Hay Saloon, Brewery Follies, Calamity Janes, Destination Virginia City (Fairweather Inn/Annex and Nevada City Cabins, Montana Picture Gallery, Ruby Chang’s, Stephano’s Fine Art Gallery, Virginia City Coffee Depot, Virginia City Trading Company, Wild West LLC(Bonanza Inn, Harding Home, Meagher Cabin and Daema and Corbett House).
There will be new concessionaires at Bob’s Place, The Shop at the City Bakery, Star Restaurant and Bakery, Virginia City Opera House, and the Wells Fargo Bar & Grill.
Both Bob’s Place and the Wells Fargo Bar & Grill will be operated by Montana retail, hospitality and restaurant company SharBert Enterprises. Star Bakery and Restaurant will be operated by Stark Summit, LLC, led by Marcus Stark, who comes in with a decade of restaurant experience, the department said.
The Virginia City Opera House will be operated by the University of Montana Western Theatre Program under the direction of Stephen Alan Seder, an assistant professor of theater and artistic director who performed with the Virginia City Players for 10 years.
The Shop at the City Bakery, founded by Rebecca Miller and Matthew Chambless, carries home goods, candles, ceramics, wellness items, books and things for the pantry — all sourced from small businesses.
“After actively working to fill leases, the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Heritage Commission are excited to see retail shops, restaurants and galleries as well as entertainment and hospitality venues, preparing to welcome customers this summer,” Department of Commerce Deputy Director Mandy Rambo said in a statement. “These historic cities have been beloved destinations for generations of Montanans and out-of-state visitors, and Commerce is dedicated to supporting their long-term stability.”
Performances in Virginia City this year include “The Bat,” running from June 17-19; “Vaudeville’s Greatest Hits,” running from July 24 through Aug. 2; and “Xantippe,” running from Aug. 5 through Sept. 6.
