Echo Lake Cafe was originally founded in 1960 by Dickie Conley and his sister Betty. After the Conleys, the restaurant passed through several owners until Bob and Christi Young purchased it in 1996.

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The Youngs dedicated time to fully renovating the space and rebranding the restaurant. They incorporated the logo style and menu from their first restaurant, Fire Sign Cafe, which they owned from 1980 to 2020, to shape the new vision for Echo Lake Cafe.

The restaurant reopened in June of 1999 and quickly became a beloved spot for both locals and visitors.

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Family has always been at the heart of the Youngs’ restaurants. From their eldest child sitting in a highchair in the Fire Sign kitchen as they cooked, to all three children eventually working alongside them at Echo Lake Cafe. Amy, their middle child, began working at Echo Lake Cafe at just 12 years old. After college, she and her husband Mark moved to California to manage Fire Sign Cafe. There, they spent five years elevating the restaurant and gaining invaluable experience. In 2018, they returned to Montana to become part owners of Echo Lake Cafe.

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In 2022, Bob and Christi officially retired, and Amy and Mark purchased the cafe, excited to carry on the Young family legacy while making the necessary changes to keep guests coming back.