At Home Store Officially Closes in Billings

This past Sunday marked the official closure of At Home in Billings. By the time doors opened for the final day, the shelves were pretty much picked bare, prices were slashed by at least 90 percent, and the sense of finality hung heavy in the air.

A Final At Home Shopping Trip

I stopped by the store twice over the weekend, and while the pickings were slim, I still walked away with what felt like a steal. I snagged about $800 worth of home décor for around $60. As I loaded my bags into my trunk, I couldn’t help but wonder: was the store even making a profit with prices that low, or was this a glimpse at just how much markup there is on retail items to begin with?

At Home Employees Face an Uncertain Future

While browsing, I chatted with a few employees. They weren’t able to share whether they were receiving severance pay. What they did say, though, was that they weren’t sure where they’d go next. Their unease was clear, and it served as a reminder that behind every closing store are local people left searching for their next step.

READ MORE: What Could Replace the Old Costco in Billings? 

A Child’s Goodbye Highlights Another Empty Storefront

As my son and I left for the last time, he looked up at the sign and said simply, “Bye At Home.” His words hit me as I glanced across the parking lot. What was once a thriving retail space is now another empty shell, sitting alongside the old Costco building that already stands vacant.

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The Uncertain Future of Billings’ Empty Retail Spaces

That’s the big question now: what will happen with these large, empty buildings? Will two major businesses move in and breathe new life into the spaces? Will they be divided into several smaller shops? Or will something entirely different, like a car dealership and car wash, take over? For now, all we can do is wait and wonder what’s next for these prominent lots in Billings.