Missoula's Office City

Missoula’s Office City was started in 1916 by Joseph M Dixon, who owned the Missoula Sentinel newspaper (now the Missoulian). The newspaper sold stationery, office supplies, and from 1895 to 1922 was the bookstore for students at the U of M.   He left the newspaper and opened the business next door on Main Street when the Anaconda Copper Co. took over ownership of the paper.  Claude Elder purchased the business from him in 1920.

Joseph M Dixon was the Missoula County prosecuting attorney from 1895 to 1897. He purchased the newspaper in 1900.  He became the campaign manager of Teddy Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party. In 1920, he ran for governor of Montana and defeated Burton K Wheeler. In 1929 he was appointed First Assistant Secretary of the Interior and died in Missoula in 1934.

The key to our longevity has been hard work, honesty, great employees and loyal customers who see the value in supporting locally owned businesses.

In 1995, we joined a buying group to compete with the big box stores. We changed our name from The Office Supply Co. to Missoula’s Office City.  We also became Western Montana’s authorized dealer for Steelcase, the #1 brand of office furniture. The other big event was that we purchased a new computer system that allowed us to automate the business to handle the increased volume.

The office products industry has changed over the years as a result of changes in the workplace. Technology has driven new products in both office furniture and supplies.  More and more business is being driven to the internet so we had to adapt to that.  Currently, more than 30% of our total sales come from the internet.

Our retail store at 115 W Broadway stocks around 1,500 of your basic office products items and serves as our main office and furniture showroom. We have an 8200 sq. ft. warehouse in town that stocks furniture and supplies.  With 5 delivery vans, we deliver to all areas of Western Montana.  We have 16 dedicated and knowledgeable employees with over 250 years of combined industry experience.  Our website www.mocmt.com allows customers to order online.  We have free next day delivery on over 50,000 items.  We also offer free office design services with our CAD system.

The current owner’s son, Brian Hughes, will be taking over the family business.  He will be the 4^th generation owner.