Luxury Or Local: Reasons I Don’t Understand Bozeman’s Cannery District

It's important for me to state at the very beginning of this article, that I'm quite fond of Bozeman's Cannery District. I'm there often and enjoy the businesses in that very unique and historic part of town.

But I don't really understand what the Cannery District wants to be when it grows up, you know? That section of town has come a long way in the last 20 years, evolving into it's own island within the industrial part of Bozeman.

There are longtime anchor restaurants next to $2,000+/month one bedroom apartments. There are $23 cocktails and a huge gymnastics facility. And of course, the iconic steel water tower that marks the district.

I wouldn't have a clue how to describe the Cannery District to someone who's never seen it, even though I love it. For some reason I'm desperate for it to have a more clear identity. I'm rooting for it, but I don't understand it's future.

There are fantastic businesses in Bozeman's Cannery District. Restaurants, bars, architects, several non profits, real estate offices, health and wellness, designers, publishers, and even a dental office. That's quite the variety of services.

The Cannery District markets itself as "A place for what’s now, and what’s next". I'm not sure what that means. There's a Bozeman Cannery District website, and a Cannery District Facebook page. I desperately want to know 'what's next'.

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You can live in the Cannery District. But it will cost you. As mentioned above, the Cannery Flats offer a variety of floor plans and size options but a one bedroom apartment starts at over $2,000/month (at the time of this writing).

Some of the old, super funky buildings are still standing. What's left of the past and Bozeman huge canning industry is my favorite part of the whole district. Did you know that "over a century ago, the Bozeman Canning Company produced more than 75% of the nation’s pea supply"? How cool is that?

Do you live there, work there, or just eat and drink there? I am of the latter group, but that area has fantastic restaurants. Some of my favorite places to eat in all of Bozeman. Never could I afford to live there and I don't think I know anyone who does.

The Cannery Flats building is new and modern with lots of cool amenities. But 2k a month is steep, even by Bozeman standards, right? The Flats are currently offering 2 months free rent on a 14 month lease - at the time of this writing, BTW. (It does appear that several bills are included in that rent.)

The Cannery District is easy to get to. It's very contained. And as mentioned above, it's a great place to socialize or have an excellent meal. But for this longtime Bozeman resident, I'm still dying to know 'what's next'. Aside from high-end cocktails.