Missoula’s Historic VFW Post 209 Is Preparing for a Major Change

There's been some speculation about what's going to happen with VFW Ole Beck Post 209 in Missoula. The VFW has been part of our community for more than a century, and now it's getting ready for a major change. 

A Century of Service: The Legacy of VFW Ole Beck Post 209

VFW Ole Beck Post 209 was established in 1921, and for more than 100 years, they've served veterans, military families, and the community through benefits navigation, peer support, emergency assistance, and ceremonial honors. It's all about veterans helping veterans. 

A Transformational Shift: VFW’s New Direction

Recently, the "VFW" was known as a traditional bar with gambling, but that chapter has come to an end. The building is now under contract and will soon become something new, according to a Facebook post by William Ward with Engel & Völkers. 

There was also some confusion about what might be happening at the old post after a movie was filmed in Missoula. The production used the building as a set and put up some fake signs advertising cheap drinks and beer. If you saw those signs, you might have thought a new bar was getting ready to open. As it turns out, those signs were just part of the movie. 

READ MORE: Missoula’s Old Buildings That Have Been Turned Into Something New

The real plans for the future of VFW Ole Beck Post 209 involve something quite different. 

Beyond the Bar: A Vision for a Veteran Resource Center

According to the organization's website, VFW Ole Beck Post 209 is preparing for the biggest transformation in its history. The organization plans to move into a new building and establish a veteran gym and resource center focused on fitness, resilience, purpose, family, and community. 

Building Community Connections: A Place for Veterans

The goal is to move beyond being a place veterans visit and create a place where they can build healthier lives, develop friendships, and find support from others who understand what they've experienced. 

There's also some significant funding behind the project. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded VFW Ole Beck Post 209 $688,608 through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program to support its veteran wellness initiative. 

That's a big deal for a community like Missoula. According to the organization, Missoula County is home to nearly 10,000 veterans, and there aren't enough veteran-centered spaces where people can naturally connect outside a bar or a clinical setting. 

READ MORE: 22 Missoula Signs That Will Bring Back Memories

The goal is to create a welcoming place where veterans can work on their physical and mental health while building connections with other veterans. 

The plans include a variety of programs designed to help veterans improve their overall well-being. 

• Fitness and strength training
• Yoga and mindfulness 
• Nutrition and lifestyle coaching
• Outdoor adventures
• Veteran resources and support

With the current building under contract, the organization is preparing for its next chapter in a new location. 

A New Home for VFW: Transforming a Local Space

According to the VFW Ole Beck Post 209 website, the plan is to move into a facility at 1521 Cooper Street in Missoula, the former Zoo BJJ Gym and Dance Studio. 

It's important to remember that the property on West Main Street is changing hands, not the VFW organization itself. Instead, it's preparing to establish a new home where it can focus on helping veterans through fitness, wellness, peer support, and community resources. 

It'll be interesting to see what eventually takes the place of the old VFW building. For now, the building is under contract, and its next use is something to watch. 

I've spent plenty of time in the VFW bar over the years. I've seen multiple shows, small concerts, and other events there, so it's one of those places that holds memories for people around Missoula. 

Instead of focusing on a traditional bar, the new facility will help veterans stay active, improve their health, find support, and connect with other people who understand their experiences. 

A New Chapter: Honoring the Past While Embracing Change

After more than a century of serving veterans and the Missoula community, VFW Ole Beck Post 209 is preparing for a new chapter. The building on West Main Street may soon have a different purpose, but the organization's mission will continue in a new home. 

I think it's good to see a longtime Missoula organization finding new ways to help the people who have served our country.