Story

We came to Red Lodge fourteen years ago, drawn by the same things that call so many here—the mountains, the wide open sky, the promise of connection in a small town. Kat, born and raised in Great Falls, carried Montana in her bones. Mike, though not from here, found himself pulled in by the mountains and the sense of belonging this place inspires.

For years, our work was in cystic fibrosis care—Kat as a diabetes specialist, Mike in pulmonary rehab. As treatments advanced, our roles became less essential, and space opened for us to dream about where else our passion might lead. Both of us had grown up in family businesses, so we understood the grit it takes to keep one alive. And despite all the restauranteer warnings, we felt pulled toward food and community. We began to imagine a new kind of care—not in clinics, but around a table. Care shared through food, through drink, through creating a space where everyone could feel at home..

That vision became One Legged Magpie. A space for conversation and connection, for art and culture, for locals and travelers alike. A place that pushes the boundaries of what food and beverage can look like in Montana while holding fast to the values of resilience, welcome, and belonging.

The name itself came one summer at Pride Park in Red Lodge, when we spotted a scrappy magpie hopping along on just one leg. Imperfect, determined, unforgettable. He reminded us of the kind of grit and persistence it takes to keep showing up—qualities we hoped would define this place, too.

One Legged Magpie is, at its heart, a gathering place. It’s our way of saying: welcome in, you belong here.