The Helena, Mont. social club has claimed to be the oldest continuously operating private club west of the Mississippi, but now plans to become a co-op and “community asset,” where stock units can be bought for $50 and the dining room and lounge will be open to the general public. “We prefer no baseball caps in the dining room,” said President Russ Cargo. “But other than that, people are welcome.”
After more than a century of being a “members only” space, the Montana Club of Helena, Mont. is going public, KRTV of Great Falls, Mont. reported
Acting General Manager Lee Shubert told KRTV that the club had little choice.
“Our membership was dwindling and dwindling, so the decision was made to allow the general public to use the dining room and come in and use the lounge,” Shubert said.
The club’s website, KRTV reported, states that “The Montana Club is the oldest, continuously-operating private club west of the Mississippi. It was established in 1885 for ‘literary, mutual improvement & social purposes’ for 130 members, drawing from the Montana Territory and beyond, including attorneys, bankers, mining, livestock and timber magnates, politicians and a panoply of entrepreneurs, to form an exclusive men’s club.
Historically, the Montana Club had only allowed members who paid monthly fees to dine, socialize, and network, KRTV reported. But that model no longer works, Shubert told the station, as social networking sites and the Internet have supplanted the need for private clubs.
“That notion has just…time has passed it by,” Shubert said. “We were facing quite frankly the possible extinction of the Montana Club after 132 years.”
To avoid that, a new business model will be put in place, KRTV reported. The club will soon be a co-op where the public can buy stock in the club for $50 per share. However, safeguards are in place that limit the amount of shares available per person, KRTV reported.
“Essentially, it becomes a community asset,” said Russ Cargo, president of the Montana Club Board of Governors. “Someone with money can’t come in and buy up all the shares and take control. It remains essentially in the public interest,”
While most of the changes are behind the scenes, KRTV reported, there is one thing visitors will notice: You can leave the suit and tie at home. The dress code is all but gone, except for one restriction.
“We prefer no baseball caps in the dining room,” Cargo said. “But other than that, people are welcome.”
Those interested in owning a share of the Montana Club will be able to attend an open house at the club on October 11, KRTV reported.
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