There’s new construction going on in Billings’ southwest corridor, right in front of the Billings Hotel and Convention Center, off Mullowney Lane. Curious what it could be? It’s a brand new, bigger and better convention center space at BHCC. The addition will add 15,500 square feet of convention space packed with state-of-the-art technology capabilities.
The room will be complete with audio/video equipment with video and live-streaming capabilities, four screens, and an 18-to-25-foot graduated ceiling, and two divider walls.
The space is expected to be ready for use by the end of the year, a mere few months away. I know, true fact, we’re already into July. Better soak up the summer sun before sweater weather rolls in again. I digress.
“This addition will provide Billings with a new space that can accommodate groups and conventions that have previously not been possible in Billings,” General Manager and co-owner Jase Muri said. “We can have a plated dinner for up to 1,200 people. We have numerous first-time groups booked for 2025, 2026, and 2027!”
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Lillian Palmer, Billings Gazette
Somewhere else in town will also be under construction sometime in the future. A landmark Heights business, the Stadium Club, has been sold to Black Hills Credit Union. Stadium Club has worn many hats over its decades of occupying the lot on Main Street, but has predominantly stayed a casino, bar and grill throughout.
Realtor Tedd Sherman, listing agent for the property, even recalled it housing a mini golf course, years ago. Sherman said there were numerous individuals interested in the property over the year it was on the market, including car washes (quiet down, I hear your grumbling from here), tire companies, a couple of churches, and parties who wanted to keep it a casino. But alas, the credit union won out.
“It’s a great location with plenty of land and a good-sized building,” Sherman told the Gazette. “A great property. I sell a lot of bars and casinos. That’s why they chose me.”
Local entrepreneur Tera Pierce and family have owned Stadium Club since 2009. Pierce said they decided to close Stadium Club to consolidate down to one business and concentrate on The Den Sports Bar on the West End, which has been in her family for over 60 years. The decision to sell Stadium Club came after Pierce and her husband took over ownership of The Den five years ago.
While some family businesses stand the test of time, others close abruptly, leaving consumers wondering why. Such was the case with Bull Mountain Grille in the Heights, when it closed unexpectedly a few weeks ago. There’s been some development on that store front since then. The now vacant 3,600 square foot restaurant space was recently advertised as available for lease.
The property owner is asking for $5,250 to $8,250 a month, plus utilities. This looks like an everything-must-go kind of situation here, with all furniture and equipment available for sale as well. That’s not all folks, they’re even willing to install a drive-through window for an extra cost, according to their Facebook post. Meanwhile, we’ll be keeping an ear out for any would-be lease takers.
