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Back in 1992 when Margrit Matter bought what was then called the Flathead
Gallery, I had my computer business in the east end of the building. I
remember that she told me I could stay as long as I wanted in that location.
Margrit then went to work on the building in a big way. She converted
the middle and west end from offices into a restaurant. She told me then
that she just wanted to have a small cafe where people could go to enjoy
the scenery of the bay and have something healthy to eat. It took quite
a while to remodel the building into a restaurant and Margrit did a lot
of the work herself. She worked alongside the carpenters, electricians
and all the other craftsmen that she hired. She had a positively amazing
vision of what the building could be and didn't let any of the obstacles
that might have discouraged anyone else, dissuade her from her vision.
There were plenty of obstacles, the building was old, one of the earliest
in Bigfork and had once served as a stables for the community.
The electrical system, the plumbing, and the foundation all needed substantial
upgrading and reconditioning.
From Margrit's first remodel, the Swan River Cafe emerged. It quickly
became a favorite of summertime visitors and locals alike. The next remodel
focused on the downstairs area where there was a large apartment. This
area she remodeled into luxury rooms, decorated in a variety of themes.
At the end of this remodel, the building became the Swan River Inn and
Cafe, a high quality bed and breakfast that highlighted Margrit's flair
for interior design and decorating.
During the course of this winter, dramatic changes have once again occurred
at the Swan River building. The building has grown upward to include a
huge second floor and a giant rooftop deck. Last week I had an opportunity
to catch up with Margrit as she began putting the finishing touches on
the latest transformation of the building, adding on thousands of square
feet and making a whole new facility for special events in Bigfork. I
visited Margrit as she painted and coordinated the final stages of the
project.
The first thing she did was take me up to the rooftop so I could enjoy
the view and take a couple of pictures. 'This roof was designed to hold
a lot of people and also an extensive rooftop garden. We will have trees
and flowers in containers up here, it will be a great place to enjoy the
outdoors when the weather is nice," explained Margrit. We stood and
looked out over the bay; the view, to say the least, is spectacular. You're
looking over the bay from a totally new perspective.
Down a short flight of stairs is the second level which consists of a
huge open room with windows on three sides and some incredible rock work
on the walls. "There will be a water fall on this rock wall that
will run down into this rock pond at the base of the wall. On the south
side of the room is the area where the bar will be located and there is
another massive rock wall in that area as well. Further west is a large
outdoor area that will be covered with a glass roof. It will be open on
two sides and the glass ceiling will protect people from rain without
interfering with the outdoorsy feeling. When we aren't hosting special
events, this area will be open to the general public starting about 4
in the afternoon. It will be a great place to come and hang out after
work or to enjoy a nice summer afternoon."
The Swan Event Center will have its grand opening on Saturday, May 28th
starting at 10:00 a.m. and going until midnight. Margrit explained it
this way. "Everything will be open, all the rooms, and every floor
of the building. It will be a great opportunity to come and see everything
the Center has to offer. We have invited entertainers, caterers, florists
and service providers of every description to come and display what they
have to offer prospective clients. It will be a great day to learn all
about the new facility and to enjoy what the many talented people of the
Flathead Valley can create."
The Swan Event Center is already fully booked for weekend weddings this
summer which is why Margrit is now focusing on the shoulder seasons for
small business conventions and other community activities. Margrit’s
vision for this facility includes a win-win situation for all the businesses
in the village. She would like to see the fall and spring seasons nearly
as busy as the summer and her drive is to make that happen. Those of us
who have known her for a long time know that Margrit’s drive is very
strong and that for such a talented and energetic woman, the future is
one of great promise, coupled with vision, hard work and determination.
Congratulations to Margrit Matter and all the people who have worked
on the massive remodel and addition to the Swan River Inn and Cafe, now
known as the Swan Event Center and Swan River Inn. Everyone should make
plans now to attend the grand opening and see for themselves the results
of her efforts and vision. This will be a great addition to the village
and a valuable asset to our community for many years to come.
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