Huge Vintage Western Wear Signs Uncovered in Old Billings Storefront

Working downtown, I'll occasionally zip over to the Don's Car Wash/gas station on 1st Ave North. This morning, as I left the gas station with my snacks and headed back toward our office in the DoubleTree Hotel, a new (old?) sight caught my eye. It was hard to miss.

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Renovation is underway at the former Thomas Printing building at 2001 1st Ave North. It was Art Craft Printers before that. Over the last few days, contractors have removed the siding from the front of the building, revealing a shocking surprise.

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Underneath the worn cladding, workers were startled to discover a series of huge marketing posters that once covered the entire south front of the building. I quickly flipped my car around the block to park, get a better look, and snap a few photos.

Pleased to find people inside the construction fencing surrounding the property, I introduced myself and was invited in to take a closer look at the cavernous building and the awesome vintage (early 1980s?) Western wear-themed marketing art out front.

Archie Cochrane Ford purchased the property earlier this year and will turn the massive, 25,000-square-foot building into their new, full-service collision repair center. Jason Davis, Dealer Principal at Archie Cochrane Ford, said they're thrilled to be moving into the neighborhood, as he showed me around the property.

Davis mentioned one of the main reasons they chose the property is for the location; it's in the middle of the Heights and the West End, where many of their autobody parts customers exist, not to mention several well-recognized body shops in the immediate area. Trackside Auto Body is directly across the street.

Keeping the shell, Archie Cochran Ford will transform the space into a full-service collision repair center, repairing all makes and models. Approximately 25 employees will staff the location, said Davis, which is expected to open in early 2025.

A remodel that is as local as it gets.

From the architect to the HVAC crews, everything about the renovation is local, Davis said. Billings-based Simonsen Architect did the design work; some of Simonsens's other recent local commercial projects have included the new Toucan Arts building downtown, Babcock and Miles Wine Bar in Red Lodge, and Bridger Orthopedic on the West End.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

Davis said their neighbors have been beyond welcoming as the renovation on the old building proceeds, including Montana Leather, Trackside Auto Body, Air Controls, Rand's Hats, Thirsty Street, and Vemco, Inc. (a large HVAC and plumbing distributor that shares an alley with the address), expressing consensus that new business is great for supporting the area.

Davis said his company is excited about the move, agreeing that this area of east Downtown is on the cusp of more revitalization. Several projects nearby are underway, near completion, or on the drawing board as businesses and developers "rediscover" a formerly thriving area of Downtown Billings. Opinion: We love it.