In 1985, a train trip to visit friends introduced Loyd and Laura Meissenburg to the beauty and serenity of Northwest Montana. Enchanted by the small lakeside town of Bigfork, they made the bold decision to sell their home and relocate, finding true nirvana amidst the mountains and setting up a tiny gift shop attached to a bar in Bigfork. The shop laid the foundation for what was to come.
Loyd, who had been dabbling in cartooning and surfing, was encouraged to take an art class taught by Eric Titlebaum, a cartoonist of Playboy Magazine notoriety. With time to tinker during the desolate winters, Laura began asking Loyd to create merchandise for their shop. Recognizing the untapped potential of the skiing crowd, they started designing and producing unique wood and metal signs inspired by vintage ephemera.
What began as a few souvenir signs quickly grew into a full-fledged business. From making homemade inks in a microwave and duct-taping makeshift equipment, they evolved into a state-of-the-art facility with over 1,000 signs in their collection. Meissenburg Designs was born, combining their passion for art and craftsmanship to create distinct, high-quality signs.
Through collaboration and a can-do attitude, they have tackled projects large and small, challenging and growing their capabilities beyond anything they could have imagined. Being stubborn has its rewards!
