Flooding Disaster Shuts Down Billings Antique Mall

The YesterYears Antique Mall in Billings is temporarily closed after wastewater flooding damaged several parts of the store. The flooding followed a weekend of heavy rain earlier this month and left behind more than a mess. It created a difficult challenge for the 80 small vendors who operate inside the mall and depend on its steady flow of customers.

A Marketplace Built on Community and Connection

YesterYears Antique Mall has always been more than just a place to shop. It’s a community of local vendors who share a passion for giving old treasures new life. Each booth has its own charm and story to tell, offering everything from furniture and collectibles to handmade gifts. Visitors could always count on a friendly smile, a great find, and maybe a treat from Cuppy’s Café and Candy Corner, which have become part of the mall’s welcoming atmosphere.

Unexpected Flooding Brings Serious Damage to the Mall

On Sunday, October 12, staff discovered that several areas of the mall had flooded. The most serious damage was found in the candy, popcorn, and coffee shop areas. Thanks to quick action from the landlords, a restoration team arrived within hours, but the news was worse than expected. The flooding was caused by sewer wastewater that had backed up through the drains, making it unsafe to keep any food products or materials that had been contaminated.

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Total Loss for Cuppy’s Café and Candy Corner

Cuppy’s Café and Candy Corner suffered the heaviest damage. Every single piece of candy, more than 300 types, had to be thrown away. The same went for every bag of popcorn, coffee bean, and food item. The team also had to gut the entire coffee shop, removing brand new cabinets and counters that were ruined by the wastewater. For a small business that had worked so hard to create something special, the loss has been heartbreaking.

Determined to Rebuild and Start Again

It is difficult to describe what it feels like to throw away everything you built and start over, but that is exactly what this small group of vendors is now doing. The store remains closed for complete sanitation and restoration. Rebuilding will take time, money, and a lot of support, but there is determination to bring Yesteryears back even better than before.

Community Fundraiser Aims to Help Yesteryears Recover

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the vendors recover. Donations will go toward rebuilding the candy and coffee shop, replacing lost supplies, helping employees, and covering the costs of deep cleaning. Every bit of help counts and will make a difference in getting this special place reopened for everyone who loves to shop, browse, and visit.

Looking Ahead to a Fresh Start

The YesterYears team says they cannot wait to welcome the community back once the building is safe and clean. Their goal is to reopen as soon as possible and fill the aisles once again with treasures, laughter, and the familiar buzz of shoppers exploring every corner.