There are lots of reasons a business, non-profit, or individual might choose to re-brand themselves, but the common thread, generally speaking, is getting a fresh start.
For example if you own a restaurant, like Drake Doepke does, and you ALSO have multiple criminal charges that finally got resolved, it might be a good idea to take the shitty service and subpar food at Front and Higgins and call it CAFE MIMOSA.
Almost a year and a half ago, Downtown Missoula was given a new French-themed restaurant in place of the old El Cazador location.
The Missoulian reported on December 28, 2023, that Tres Bonne moved into the corner of Front and Higgins near the Wilma Theater.
Now, 1 year, 3 months and 18 days later, it appears Tres Bonne has undergone a brand change.
Yep, and this conspicuous rebranding came right around the time this happened:
Drake E. Doepke, 41, received a deferred 12-month sentence, meaning the lone charge will be wiped from his record if he remains law-abiding and follows the conditions of his sentence for the next year. He is barred from contacting his two female accusers in the case that was filed last year.
Doepke declined to comment after the change-of-plea hearing in Missoula Municipal Court, but his defense attorney, Dwight Schulte, addressed the court on his client’s behalf.
“Mr. Doepke denies any sexual assault ever occurred, but has used this time, your honor, to reflect on himself and to work on himself,” Schulte told Municipal Judge Eli Parker. “… I personally am very proud of the work that he has put in, the self-reflection and how he has dealt with this most difficult process.”
Hmmm, when you consult Reddit, like I did, you are left wondering why Doepke doesn’t spend more time working on his shitty restaurant and bar brands.
Another example of re-branding is allegedly occurring because the Northside Community Development Corporation has grown beyond its geographically limited name. Here’s a brief explanation of the name change:
Having outgrown its original name and mission, a Missoula-based community land trust has rebranded to align with its next phase of growth.
The North Missoula Community Development Corporation on Monday said it was now the Front Step Community Land Trust — a move that better reflects “the growth and evolution of our work.”
Later in the article, this adorable little org, who I spied getting more politically active with the homeless conversation a few months ago, acknowledged the phenomenon of gentrification was still a big focus. Since the former NMCDC partnered with ANOTHER organization that changed its name recently, from the Montana Human Rights Network to Catalyst Montana (story at the link), I’m not surprised by this move (emphasis mine):
The organization began in 1996 in an effort to revitalize Missoula’s North and Westside neighborhoods. At the time, the two districts were viewed as the city’s lowest income and most neglected areas.
But over the past 25 years, the city has growth and housing costs have risen, making affordability a challenge for many families. The organization believes gentrification and displacement represent a growing risk.
Yes, I agree about the risk of gentrification, so you might think I’m happy that FRONT STEP COMMUNITY LAND TRUST is using a name change to expand its mission, but if that means working with retarded socialists like the Danny and Kristy show, well, expect politics, not actual improvements to our community.
Now, let’s take a quick look at some of the shitty developers trying to exploit a housing crisis to get paid. No, not the ALPHA MALE, Aaron Wagner, that dude has SERIOUS problems after being arrested by the FBI. No, the most recent claims of developer criminality comes from a development planned for East Missoula. From the link:
Two developers planning to build hundreds of homes on vacant land in East Missoula were charged by federal prosecutors in California for allegedly attempting to bribe a local official in exchange for favorable treatment.
David Sanson, 60, of Philipsburg, Montana, and Trent Sanson, 33, of Walnut Creek, California, are accused of bribery and conspiracy charges after a California city councilor said they attempted to give the official $10,000 in campaign contributions to push a housing project through development review.
The indictment also alleges the developers tried to bribe the city councilor with an additional $5,000 in cash hidden within a coffee mug.
Over at the agency I would re-brand as the Missoula Gentrification Agency, the question about using their skimmed tax revenue for the VERY small percentage of drug addicts the Danny and Kristy show are using to extort local citizens with is being debated. From the link:
The city’s mayor and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency have proposed allocating excess funding from the Johnson Street Shelter to help fund the city’s housing sprint as shelter operations wind down over the next few months.
But questions over the legality of using tax increment to fund a social program prompted MRA board members to seek a legal opinion from the City Attorney’s Office before the funding is allocated to the housing effort.
There is more I’d like to say about all this, but I’ve got a date with the pee-tech this morning. After a longer than usual period between my last pee-cup analysis, I got the call this morning. I’m sure my post from yesterday has nothing to do with it.
Thanks for reading!