Marlee and Cortney Zentner supporting the Tour de Fleur
Tucked away inside The Beacon Air Group building, Sunshine Express is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee—it’s a story of small-town roots, big-hearted ambition, and deep community connection.
Co-owner Marlee Zentner first discovered her love for coffee while working at Sweetwater Coffee during college in Dillon, Montana. Though she originally studied visual arts, her path eventually led her back to coffee when her sister, Cortney invited her to help take over Sunshine Express after the longtime owner retired. Since then, Marlee and her sister Cortney have poured their energy into growing Sunshine Express into a welcoming café space. In addition to their kiosk on Zimmerman Trail, the sisters opened their new walk-in location in February of 2025.
“What’s so great about this space is you don’t have to be flying to grab a coffee and enjoy the view,” Marlee says as she walks us upstairs to the patio overlooking the airport. “You can watch planes or work up here. A lot of the new flight school students use it all the time!”
Aside from a really unique cafe location and great coffee, Sunshine Express is special for another reason—it’s the sense of purpose behind every cup.
Marlee spoke fondly of her time living throughout Montana and North Dakota, but she’s found a strong sense of belonging in Billings, particularly on the trails. She and Cortney frequent the Skyline Trail with their dogs, and they’re actively working to adopt and maintain a section of the path as part of their commitment to the community.
“We love walking the Skyline during the day and it’s our way of giving back to the trails we love so much,” she stated.
Join us along with Sunshine Express for a cleanup this upcoming Saturday, June 21st! We wil provide the cleanup supplies and they will provide the coffee, sign up here!
