By Billie J Olson
As the Full Circle Thrift Store celebrates its stunning move to the former Choteau Trading Post building, marking a bold new chapter, the community also honors a remarkable one drawing to a close: the retirement of beloved Manager Diane Bishop after an incredible forty years of service with Choteau Activities Inc (CAI).
The new location on Main Avenue boasts triple the space, a year-round holiday corner, and improved sorting areas. While the store’s success is palpable, it is impossible to talk about it without acknowledging Diane, who has been its steady heart.
For four decades, Diane has done more than manage a store; she has cultivated a place of purpose, dignity, and belonging for the developmentally and intellectually disabled adults served by CAI. As CAI Executive Director Louie King noted, the store is a safe place for clients to work, earn wages, and build self-esteem, an environment made possible by Diane’s gentle guidance and high standards.
Diane’s meticulous dedication and emphasis on quality over quantity helped grow a small operation into the busy, thriving enterprise it is today. Coordinating everything from donations to beautiful window displays, she helped build a business that is financially vital to CAI’s $1.2 million budget and a cornerstone of the Choteau community.
It is fitting that her tenure culminates with the realization of this magnificent new space. Diane played a critical role in the transition, ensuring the mission never wavered. As the store settles into its beautiful new home, it stands as a lasting monument to Diane’s dedication.
We extend our deepest gratitude for her four decades of service and wish her the very best in a well-deserved retirement. The next time you visit the brighter, bigger Full Circle at 38 Main Ave N, remember the quiet, dedicated service of Diane Bishop, whose work made it all possible.