Longstanding Helena outdoor retailer will close, liquidation sale runs through year end

Bob Ward’s Sports and Outdoors on Dredge Drive in Helena will cease operations at that location by December 31, 2025, the company announced on November 19, 2025. The store plans a storewide liquidation sale through the end of the year, and customers were told that gift cards purchased at the Helena shop will remain valid and can be used at other Bob Ward’s locations.

Company leadership characterized the Helena closure as part of a strategic review of operations and market alignment. Other Montana Bob Ward’s stores in Missoula, Bozeman and Hamilton will remain open. The company said it will assist impacted Helena employees with job placement options and other assistance, though it did not disclose the number of staff affected.

The Helena announcement comes after ownership changes in recent years. In 2022 the Montana Bob Ward’s locations were acquired by Al’s Sporting Goods of Utah. The outlet noted that there have been prior closures of Bob Ward’s locations in Montana, signaling a period of consolidation for the regional retailer.

For Helena residents the closure has several immediate implications. The store was a local source of hunting, fishing and outdoor-sports equipment and supplies. With nearby full service locations farther away in Missoula and Bozeman, customers who rely on in person product selection, repairs or last minute purchases may now face longer drives or a greater reliance on online retailers. The company’s assurance that gift cards remain valid at other locations preserves some value for customers who hold store credit, but does not replace the convenience of a neighborhood outfitter.

Local economic effects will be concentrated in retail employment and related sales tax receipts. While the company has said it will provide assistance to employees, the loss of a retail outlet can reduce foot traffic in nearby commercial corridors and remove an outlet for local suppliers or small brands that used the store for exposure. The move also reflects broader pressures on brick and mortar outdoor retailers, including changing consumer shopping patterns and the competitive draw of national chains and online platforms.

Policy responses at the county or city level typically focus on workforce reemployment services and small business support. Helena and Lewis and Clark County economic development officials may consider coordinating with state workforce programs to connect displaced workers to new jobs in retail, recreation services or the regional outdoor economy. For community groups that depend on local partnerships with gear retailers for events and youth programs, the closure increases the need to secure alternative sponsors and suppliers.

The company will maintain its presence elsewhere in Montana, leaving Helena without a Bob Ward’s store after 2025. The liquidation sale through December 31 offers residents a final opportunity to purchase inventory locally while the company works through the store closing process and transitions employees.