Helena Business Wins Retailer of the Year Award at 2026 Made in Montana Trade Show
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HELENA, Mont. – Helena business 56 Counties was honored with the 2026 Retailer of the Year award today at the annual Made in Montana Trade Show at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. Montana Department of Commerce’s Director Marta Bertoglio and Deputy Director Mandy Rambo presented the award to Megan Martin of Helena, owner of 56 Counties, at the show.
“The Montana Department of Commerce congratulates 56 Counties for winning this award. We also want to recognize our other award recipients and all the Made in Montana businesses that make this trade show such a huge success every year,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “The Made in Montana Program has helped expand Montana’s economy for over 40 years, providing more than 2,000 local businesses a platform to create a solid foundation for success.”
56 Counties features more than 190 artisans from Montana’s 56 counties. The store’s mission is to support local artists and businesses while promoting Montana’s shop-local philosophy. Owner Megan Martin said, “The inspiration for 56 Counties came from opportunities where I was able to travel the entire state. Those experiences built relationships and a passion for Montana as a whole; the shop is built on stories whether they be my own, an artisan's or a customer's. My goal has been to create community through art and to be recognized for that achievement and doing something I love is an absolute honor. I cannot express enough gratitude for being chosen for this award. I love what the shop has created across Montana, bringing all corners together, and I hope I get to continue that for a long time!”
Each year, Montana retailers are nominated by their peers to receive the Retailer of the Year Award. Additionally, Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio and Community Relations Manager Wes Feist from sponsor NorthwesternEnergy presented the following awards:
Best in Show Overall: Beartooth Candle Company (Billings)
Beartooth Candle Company provides customers with hand-poured, small-batch candles.
Best in Show Honorable Mention: RJS Engraving & Design (Stevensville)
RJS Engraving & Design provides customers with laser-engraved crafts cut from various wood products.
Best in Show New Exhibitor: Rogue Brownies (Great Falls)
Rogue Brownies provides customers with small-batch, hand-crafted brownies.
Commerce’s Made in Montana Program helps Montana businesses develop and market their products both in and out of the state. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana, helps build recognition for products that are authentically Montana. This year, Commerce is celebrating 42 years of the program and 28 years of the annual trade show.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
“The Montana Department of Commerce congratulates 56 Counties for winning this award. We also want to recognize our other award recipients and all the Made in Montana businesses that make this trade show such a huge success every year,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “The Made in Montana Program has helped expand Montana’s economy for over 40 years, providing more than 2,000 local businesses a platform to create a solid foundation for success.”
56 Counties features more than 190 artisans from Montana’s 56 counties. The store’s mission is to support local artists and businesses while promoting Montana’s shop-local philosophy. Owner Megan Martin said, “The inspiration for 56 Counties came from opportunities where I was able to travel the entire state. Those experiences built relationships and a passion for Montana as a whole; the shop is built on stories whether they be my own, an artisan's or a customer's. My goal has been to create community through art and to be recognized for that achievement and doing something I love is an absolute honor. I cannot express enough gratitude for being chosen for this award. I love what the shop has created across Montana, bringing all corners together, and I hope I get to continue that for a long time!”
Each year, Montana retailers are nominated by their peers to receive the Retailer of the Year Award. Additionally, Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras, Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio and Community Relations Manager Wes Feist from sponsor NorthwesternEnergy presented the following awards:
Best in Show Overall: Beartooth Candle Company (Billings)
Beartooth Candle Company provides customers with hand-poured, small-batch candles.
Best in Show Honorable Mention: RJS Engraving & Design (Stevensville)
RJS Engraving & Design provides customers with laser-engraved crafts cut from various wood products.
Best in Show New Exhibitor: Rogue Brownies (Great Falls)
Rogue Brownies provides customers with small-batch, hand-crafted brownies.
Commerce’s Made in Montana Program helps Montana businesses develop and market their products both in and out of the state. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana, helps build recognition for products that are authentically Montana. This year, Commerce is celebrating 42 years of the program and 28 years of the annual trade show.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
Tags: Business and Press Release