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Refilling Mountain Mudd’s cup

October 26, 2014 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The idea had been percolating in Tanya Weinreis’ mind for three years.

The owner of the Sweet Café in Billings was itching to get back to her roots and own a coffee stand. On sale were Mountain Mudd https://www.facebook.com/mountainmuddespresso Espresso kiosks, which had been on Weinreis’ radar. The company had local roots but was a damaged brand.

Weinreis, 33, and her mother, Peggy Ennenga, felt they were the right pair to bring Mountain Mudd back to local ownership. They say their experience will help them avoid mistakes of the past, when Mountain Mudd grew into a national brand but collapsed into a mess of lawsuits that led to the bankruptcy of founders Brenda Burkhartsmaier and her husband, Dennis.

"I still love the good part of Mountain Mudd, which is the good coffee and the great people," Weinreis, of Billings, said.

By Erik Olson