As we wrapped up the calendar year, our Downtown Billings team all huddled together at the big wood table in the center of our office. We talked about the year and went around the room and crafted a list of our top 10 highlights for downtown of 2025! Creating this list was a fun way to pause together and celebrate the effort of our teammates, our partners, and our downtown community; all of whom work passionately and tirelessly to ensure downtown is a place you want to be.
1. The wISE wONDERS ALLEY transformation
Four large murals now span the entire east wall of Wise Wonders Children’s Museum alleyway transforming an ominous alley into an inviting space for visitors to explore.
2. Skypoint refresh
Downtown’s Skypoint structure, at N Broadway and 2nd Avenue N., received a much needed set of new sails and fresh coat of paint.
Still to come: Enhanced lighting and outdoor speakers.
3. Renewal of the DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
The Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) works year-round to deliver a clean, safe, and inviting experience. The BID does this through the work of the BID Street Team, the Downtown Cooperative Safety Program, the Public Art Program, and the beloved Downtown Signature Events.
Per state law the BID is renewed every 10 years through a petition of support signed in favor by the properties within the district boundaries. Established in 2005, the Downtown Billings BID has successfully been renewed twice (in 2015 and 2025). In 2025, nearly 75% of the BID property owners petitioned the Billings City Council to renew the BID for another 10 years. The resolution to renew passed in August 2025 (with only CM Kennedy in opposition).
4. Frae Collective opens in downtown (A 2024 Battle of the Plans winner)
Frae Everyday Goods opened Frae Collective, their second Billings location in Downtown Billings in May 2025. Frae Collective (at 116 N. 29th St.) is home to not just to Frae Collective is home to multiple small businesses; including a florist, bike shop, artist, and more.
5. 21 Businesses open in downtown
In 2025 downtown saw a net positive when it came to business development growth. We tracked 21 new downtown businesses (listed below), four downtown business relocations to new downtown locations and eight closures (two are temporary).
- Seth Royal Kroft Gallery at 207 N Broadway
- Earthbound Cafe at 207 N Broadway
- Billings Refill Shoppe at 2713 1st Ave N
- Michelle’s Pantry at 2123 1st Ave N
- Magic City: Bell Book & Candle at 14 & ½ N 27th St
- Tup Tim Thai at 2916 1st Ave N
- Wicked Bull Trading Post at 112 STE B N. Broadway
- Frae Collective by Frae Everyday Goods at 116 N 29th St
- Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den at 2601 Minnesota Ave
- Bearded Bean Coffee Co. at 3024 2nd Ave N
- Maple Moose at 201 N. Broadway in Rock 31
- Dragon’s Gate Studio at 2913 3rd Ave N
- Epic Nutrition & Energy at 212 N 29th St
- The Waiting Room (Doc Harper’s Speakeasy) at 118 N Broadway
- H&R Block at 3330 4th Ave N
- Maple Moose at 104 S. 29th Street at Rail Line Coffee
- Rollhouse Bakery at 115 N 29th St
- Blueprint MT at 2923 Montana Ave
- White Lotus Realty at 2513 Montana Ave
- Stahly’s Engineering & Associates at 2817 2nd Ave. N in the Fratt building
- Head Concepts at 302 N 29th St.
6. More pedestrian lights added to Montana Avenue
Four more flashing beacons were installed on Montana Avenue. These lights make the Historic Montana Avenue portion of downtown safer for pedestrians to explore. The first flashing beacon light was installed on Montana Avenue in 2022.
7. MASONIC BUILDING NEW OWNERSHIP & REDEVELOPMENT
After sitting vacant for a number of years, a January 2025 ownership change set this historical building and neighboring properties up for a bright future. A mix-use redevelopment of the building is underway. This project includes: Retail, Residential, and Commercial office spaces.
8. Downtown events bring Over 100k visitors
In 2025 our organization coordinated 17 unique Downtown Signature Events that that brought over 75k visitors to the downtown Billings Central Business District. In addition to the events we coordinated, other organizations like; Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market, Billings ArtWalk, 406 Pride, Chase Hawks Memorial Association, and Yellowstone County Relay for Life coordinated large community events that drew thousands to the downtown district in 2025.
Collectively we all drew over 100k visitors to downtown Billings in 2025.
9. Over $64k in downtown Business Signage Investment
Good signage helps to enhance the downtown experience & helps visitors navigate their surroundings with confidence. In 2025, we saw over $64k invested in downtown Business signage; ⅔ of which was private investment, ⅓ was public (TIF) investment through our Sign Incentive Grant program.
10. $18k in downtown gift cards purchased
Just under 500 Downtown Billings Gift Cards (totaling $18k) were purchased in 2025. $16.5k in Downtown Gift Card dollars were spent at downtown businesses this year. The Downtown Billings Gift Card program started in 2020 and since, over $250k in Downtown Billings Gift Cards have been purchased. The gift cards are redeemable at the over 50 downtown locations who accept them.
We know the amazing downtown small business community, residents, employees, and property owners could all certainly add to this list. And it’s with immense gratitude that we thank our entire community and city leadership for their investment in downtown and belief in the benefits of a thriving urban core.
We look forward to see all that 2026 brings and hope to see you downtown in the new year.