Billings Downtown District Explodes With Record-Breaking Business Growth

Montana's commercial heart is witnessing an unprecedented transformation as downtown Billings added 25 new businesses in 2025, marking another year of steady growth.

This dramatic surge represents a five-fold increase from previous years, signaling Billings' emergence as a major destination for entrepreneurial investment.

The momentum hasn't slowed since early spring, when ten new businesses opened downtown by March, compared to only two to three at the same time last year.

Now city officials confirm that remarkable early activity has accelerated into a full-scale commercial renaissance.

Downtown Billings Association development director confirms the extraordinary nature of this growth wave, calling it unprecedented for the region.

The number of new openings helped eliminate 25 ground-level vacancies, creating a downtown district that's increasingly vibrant and economically robust.

Among the standout newcomers is Earthbound Café, which has already carved out a loyal customer base with its diverse menu offerings catering to multiple dietary preferences.

The breakfast and lunch spot, located inside the Valley Federal Credit Union Building at 207 N Broadway, exemplifies the creative approach driving this business boom.

Restaurant owners are betting big on downtown's future, bringing concepts that didn't previously exist in the area.

Meanwhile, The Billings ReFill Shoppe represents another successful comeback story, with owner Katie Harrison reopening her sustainable goods business after closing her original Montana Avenue location in 2023.

Harrison recently opened The Billings ReFill Shoppe at 2713 1st Ave N., positioning herself in the heart of downtown's retail revival.

The remarkable diversity of new enterprises spans multiple sectors, from six retail shops, five health and beauty businesses, five service-based businesses, four coffee shops and bakeries, and several eateries.

This variety signals a maturing downtown ecosystem capable of serving both local residents and the growing number of visitors who spend over 180 minutes on average in downtown Billings when they visit.

Beyond the immediate business openings, major development projects are positioning downtown for even more dramatic changes ahead.

Several major development projects are set to begin, including construction of a seven-story Marriott hotel at 2704 Second Ave. N., redevelopment of the Old Billings Hardware building at 2802 Montana Ave. into retail and residential space, redevelopment of the Masonic Temple, and construction of the 12-story Futurity Tower.

These ambitious construction projects represent hundreds of millions in investment, demonstrating unprecedented confidence in downtown's commercial future.

The Futurity Tower alone will be the first new high-rise to be built in Montana since 1984, featuring retail space on lower floors and residential units above.

Despite rising costs and economic pressures that forced some longtime establishments to close, the overall trajectory remains overwhelmingly positive.

Eight downtown businesses closed in 2025, including well-known spots such as Wild Ginger, Bin 119, and Buffalo Block.

However, these closures were quickly offset by the surge of new openings, demonstrating the market's underlying strength and resilience.

Property owners and business leaders express growing optimism about downtown's commercial prospects, with many viewing the current wave as just the beginning of a longer transformation.

City officials remain welcoming to new enterprises, actively seeking additional businesses to join the downtown community.

The business expansion coincides with broader infrastructure improvements and quality-of-life enhancements that make Billings increasingly attractive to entrepreneurs and residents alike.

As spring approaches and foot traffic naturally increases, downtown stakeholders anticipate even more growth opportunities will emerge throughout the remainder of the year.

The unprecedented business boom transforms Billings from regional service center into a true commercial destination, positioning Montana's largest city for sustained economic growth and urban vitality.