The 9 Mile Schoolhouse has been a beloved tradition in Western Montana for 30 years.  Started by Hanneke and Les Ippisch, every year, the morning after Thanksgiving, Montanans would flock to the Schoolhouse to purchase hand-made wooden Christmas products.  When he was a child, Kurt Cyr would go to the Christmas Market every year; he loved the beautiful products and admired the way the Ippisches had restored the Schoolhouse. 

When Hanneke and Les held their last Christmas Market in 2002, everyone thought it would be the last one ever.  But in 2006, Kurt Cyr purchased the Schoolhouse and revived the Christmas market.  "The 9 Mile Schoolhouse was such a magical part of my childhood," said Kurt.  "I want to recapture that magic."

 
 
Jay and kurt
Kurt grew up in western Montana, not far from the schoolhouse. As designer for the Christmas market, he heads up a team of local artisans who paint, stitch and assemble his designs.
Jay was born on the east coast and grew up overseas. With his degree in Psychology and his background in marketing, he is the administrative brains behind the operation.