Popular Retailer With 21 Montana Stores Announces Closures

If you’ve ever popped into Carquest Auto Parts for a last-minute battery or a bottle of washer fluid, this news might give you pause: the company that owns all Montana Carquest locations has announced plans to close over 700 stores by mid-2025. With 21 locations scattered across Montana, the big question is: Will any of ours be on the chopping block?

The announcement came as part of Advance Auto Parts’ third-quarter earnings report. According to USA Today, the company managed to increase gross profits by 11% this year. Yet it’s still struggling to find its financial footing.

Get our free mobile app

Hurricanes, a major cybersecurity issue, and fewer people opting to fix their vehicles have all contributed to a challenging year. To stay afloat, the company is rolling out a three-year plan that includes store closures, job cuts, and the shutdown of four distribution centers.

What Does This Mean for Montana?

In Montana, nearly all  Advance Auto Parts stores are branded as Carquest Auto Parts. But, they are spread out from border to border across the Treasure State. Advance Auto Parts acquired Carquest in 2014.

With more than 4,700 stores nationwide, the company hasn’t yet said which locations are closing. But here in Montana, where options for car parts can already feel limited, losing even one store could be a big deal.

Montana Advance Auto Parts/Carquest locations include:

• Anaconda
• Colstrip
• Harlem
• Lewistown
• Shelby
• Baker
• Cut Bank
• Havre
• Livingston
• Sidney
• Glasgow
• Helena
• Malta
• Whitefish
• Butte
• Great Falls
• Kalispell
• Missoula
• And 3 locations spread around Billings

For many small towns, places like Advance Auto Parts and Carquest are more than just stores. They’re where you go when your check engine light pops on at the worst time or when you need advice from the friendly staff who know your car better than you do.