Annual Great Falls economic summit scheduled for Tuesday puts spotlight on region’s retail scene

Great Falls retailer Alison Fried is allotted five minutes at Great Falls Development Authority’s annual economic summit on Tuesday.

The problem?

"I’ve got about 45 minutes of stuff to talk about," said Fried, the proprietor of Dragonfly Dry Goods and the recently opened Dragonfly Kitchen and Bath. Both stores are in downtown Great Falls.

Fried is one of four speakers scheduled to discuss the local retail scene at the summit. A representative from the Macerich Co., Lance Lerud, the Wal-Mart manager, and Scheels Sports manager Trevor Swenson also will share retail observations.

The boiled-down version of Fried’s talk will hit upon attitude, perception and risk-taking.

"Mostly, I want to talk about the attitude and the way we perceive ourselves," the retailer said. "If we had a different perspective about Great Falls and the state of Montana, we could do great things."

Fried said some folks who enter her stores ask how she sells sometimes-pricey wares in a slow-growth community with few high-wage earners.

Fried said she sees a "we are not good enough" attitude among some residents and "that’s sad."

By JAMES E. LARCOMBE Tribune Business Editor

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