Another Family-Owned Montana Company Announces Store Closure

I had a thought about rising costs in Montana. It happened during my commute to work this morning. I was thinking to myself how insane the cost of living has gotten in just a few short years. I keep seeing listings for homes in other states for half of what I paid for mine. Yet they are 3 times the size. What is it about Montana that makes me justify paying an outrageous amount of money to live here? 2 simple answers. The great outdoors and family.

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We live in a postcard. My house may be small, but my backyard (Montana) is huge. I enjoy the great outdoors. I enjoy the great outdoors even more when it is with my family.

Over 100 years ago, a company was born out of that same love for the outdoors and family. Spreading that love to 5 different markets all across the state.

• Bozeman, MT
• Butte, MT
• Helena, MT
• Missoula, MT
• Hamilton, MT

Bob Wards announced Monday that they intend to close their Butte location in mid-September of 2024.

According to KXLF

Bob Wards first opened in 1917 in Missoula and later expended to Butte, Bozeman, Helena and Hamilton. In October of 2022, the Utah-based Al’s Sporting Goods bought all the Bob Ward and Sons locations in Montana.

After acquiring the Bob Ward locations, Al’s Sporting Goods President Jason Larsen told MTN News, “We are thrilled to welcome the current staff to the Al’s family and will work to preserve the Bob Ward & Sons name, reputation, and legacy throughout the state of Montana.”

As a person who is extremely forgetful while on outdoor adventures, I am appreciative of having multiple Bob Wards locations that I can rely on for my sporting goods. It is going to be sad to see the Butte location close its doors this Fall.