article by Jessica Renstrom | photos by Patricia Marie Photograpy

The familiar brick walls that once housed home goods at Liberty & Vine are welcoming Billings residents back in an entirely new way.

“When Liberty & Vine Country Store closed, leaving behind a 16,000 sq ft historical brick building, I realized there was an opportunity to create a space to share with the community,” says Teresa Larsen, owner of The Paper Mill, Billings’ newest event venue. This large space has served the community for over 100 years, but for most of that time, it functioned very differently: as a paper company.

The main part of the building was built in 1917 by the Western Newspaper Union. Soon after, the Carpenter Paper Company expanded into Montana and joined to share the space. In those early days, deliveries were made by horse and buggy. Then in 1951, Carpenter Paper Company expanded the site with a warehouse addition designed by Cushing & Terrell, creating the east and west sections that help define the structure today.

BECOMING AN EVENT VENUE

“The main floor’s expansive open layout and striking brick backdrop make it ideal for a wide range of events; it just needed a few updates,” explains Teresa. Those updates included demolition work, installing a custom bar, refinishing the floors, replacing windows, and adding five bathrooms to accommodate larger gatherings. During this process, Teresa also hired Event Manager Nikita Ratzburg. “Because of her many years in hospitality, she provided and continues to provide many fabulous recommendations to better help our clients bring their dreams to reality,” says Teresa.

For Nikita, the building itself already does a wonderful job creating a space for celebration. “The ambiance and aesthetic are already built into the space,” explains Nikita. “People don’t have to do much for decor because the building is charming on its own. It’s timeless and incredibly versatile, naturally creating an elegant backdrop for any event.”

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICAL PLACES

While walking through The Paper Mill, it’s clear that the updates were intentionally chosen, blending modern elements with its historic charm and original features like the large old paper scale. “No matter the person, age, or background, each stop to investigate and wonder what its purpose was back in the day and stand on it to see if it still works,” says Teresa.

The history of this space has officially been recognized with the building’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation came after a thorough application process, which included submitting a detailed history to the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, and it received final approval from the National Park Service in January 2026.

“It is an honor to have the building officially identified as a historical building,” exclaims Teresa. “The recognition will encourage the preservation of the existing structure and bring more awareness to the cultural and economic contribution the Western Newspaper Union and Carpenter Paper Company (which later became Unisource) had to Billings, Montana. I am very excited to keep the building's history alive.”

THE FUTURE OF THE PAPER MILL

Besides hosting weddings and private celebrations, the team sees The Paper Mill as a true community space. Teresa & Nikita aim to hold vendor markets, fairs, and public gatherings that connect people and address a gap in the local event scene.

“I envisioned the event center as a place where everyone could connect while celebrating life's great moments,” Teresa says. “I never imagined how blessed I’d feel witnessing those joys, when the lights dim, the music starts, and the smiles and laughter carry the joy through to the end. Let the party begin!”

Originally printed in the April 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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