Nico Carlson pulls a batch of fresh buttermilk biscuits from the oven at Uptown Hearth. A rich, buttery smell fills the bakery located behind the cafe kitchen.  

The bakery, cafe and coffee roaster in Columbia Falls offers artisan hearth breads, savory and sweet baked goods, breakfast, lunch and a full espresso and tea bar, with everything made in the open-concept kitchen. 

“We try to use as many local and organic ingredients as possible,” head chef Becky Sorensen said. “Everything is made in-house; that’s the whole thing.”  

Using homemade and local ingredients is at the forefront of Uptown Hearth’s mission, according to owner Terri Feury. 

“Knowing where our food comes from gives us the comfort to know we’re passing that goodness to the customers,” Feury said. “I like to use the expression ‘real food. Ninety percent of what we do here is handmade.” 

The cafe menu is a unique pairing between classic breakfast items like breakfast sandwiches and burritos and overnight oats with an Asian twist on some lunch items. From a seared flank steak sandwich to a banh mi bowl to tandoori chickpeas, each flavor profile is captivating.  

Take the barbeque pork sandwich, served on a house-made bun with a soft interior and a slightly firm exterior.  Topped with house-made tangy barbeque sauce, the sandwich itself is loaded with slow-roasted pulled pork and house-made coleslaw. It is a bit messy, but worth the fork-assisted cleanup.  

The sandwich is paired with a side salad of tossed greens with a light vinaigrette, but can be substituted for lemon miso home fries.  

The cafe also features off menu items regularly and switches some options seasonally. The Shifty features two fried eggs served over rice with chili crunch and house green mayo, each bite packing an array of textures and flavors. The green mayo is made fresh with poblano peppers, onions, miso and herbs.  

“As a small, hands-on cafe with experienced staff, we are able to change our offerings quickly as to the seasonality, availability and affordability of ingredients, thus creating a very vibrant dining experience,” Feury said.  

Feury originally opened Uptown Hearth in 2016 after working out of the downtown Columbia Falls building for over a decade baking. Open three days a week, the space served breakfast and coffee but closed in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Feury saw it as time to grow the business.  

Paired up with Matthew Bussard, who operated a mobile coffee cart prior to 2020 at Uptown Hearth, and Chas Brandt and Hillary Sheldon, local coffee roasters, the four reopened Uptown Hearth as it is today in February 2024.  

The new building, three stories tall, also features rentable workspaces and conference rooms for community use.  

“We’re proud to be a hub for community,” Feury smiled.  

Feury hopes to continue to grow the space and its purpose, from hosting community events to creating holiday specials to donating to local organizations and efforts.  

“We’re very proud of the fact that we’re a very well-received anchor to uptown Columbia Falls,” Feury said.  

Uptown Hearth is located at 619 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls. It is open seven days a week, 7 a.m.to 2 p.m. To learn more, visit uptownhearth.com.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].