Our Store's History

Then and now... 

Wyoming Classics

   Here we are at present time.  Over the years our brick walls had been coated with many layers of paint which our oldest son, Jim, hired on for most of a summer a few years ago to remove.  Hours and weeks of chemical stripping and good old "elbow grease" with a putty knife revealed the old red brick and matching mortar. We still need the old awnings back, but that will come. As we continue our restoration we will update the pictures. 

Who We Are and How we got started...

   I suppose this is where I tell about how this business came to be on this corner, in this little town in Wyoming, so that is what I am going to do.

   There has always been a "little shopkeeper" inside of me who was trying to get out and one day she did.  I think that almost everything I ever learned to do in my life was preparing me for this business.  I just didn't know it. 

  I have sewn since I was a child and always "made" and "arranged things".  I love to draw and airbrush paint as well.  The ten plus years I spent as an Accountant Clerk for the electric company gave me the bookkeeping expertise I would need so much. During that time I designed and sewed, and sewed, and sewed with my spare time.  I made almost all of my own clothes.  I have taught "not for credit" classes through Northwest Community College and I have been teaching kids to sew in 4-H for over 18 years.   I haven't got a shy bone in my body and have always felt easy around people, so that made the best part of this business come natural.  It' a pleasure to see our customers find just what they want or need.  And it  is wonderful to be able to see the work of your hands bring a smile to someone's face.  

   With our three sons growing up and soon to be ready to fly the nest, I knew I was going to be open for the ...Rest of the Story... but I could never have imagined that it would unfold like it did.  The only other ingredient that was missing was the jolt to get me started and I sure got that in an unexpected way one day.

   Halloween morning 1989,  on the way to town, my car went out of control and rolled on some black ice on the dry creek bridge.  I didn't look too injured, but when the E.M.T. crew arrived I was fortunate to have Rick be the EMT in charge at my accident scene. Thanks to Rick's insistence that they handle me as a neck injury, in spite of how undamaged I looked,  I wasn't paralyzed in transport. The hospital found my bruised kidney right away, but they missed the rest. When the pain didn't stop, and at my continuing insistence that something was indeed wrong, on my 3rd day in the hospital, they finally discovered that my neck was broken at cervical vertebrae 6,  in three places.  Before I knew it we were on a jet plane to Billings, Montana and the next day I had delicate surgery to repair the damage and prevent paralysis.  Thankfully I came out of surgery able to move everything. 

   To make a long story short, I ended up with three fused vertebrae in my neck; a bruised kidney and heart, and a long road to recovery ahead.  About a year of physical therapy later,  I discovered an empty storefront down the street from where we are today. I didn't know if I was strong enough to have a business or not; but I knew I needed to try. The owners of the building, Ron and Chris, rented the storefront to me on a month to month basis understanding that my strength and endurance for the task ahead were both uncertain.   I am sure glad I did. After only 6 months in that rented space, we moved down the street to our current home, the old Spencer Building.

   Over the years that have followed family, employees, friends and customers have brought  their ideas, talents, enthusiasm, and vision to help make this store grow and thrive.  I am excited to see the growth continue and the new faces that will join us in our efforts.

   I know that none of this happened by accident.  This all came about as an answer to a prayer that I had prayed on and off for years. I call it my "Prayer with a P.S."   I always prayed, " God, give me a witness so I can share who you are and what you can do in a persons life with others in a real way." At the end, I always said, " But don't let me break my neck like Joni Eriksson did." (She dove into a pool headfirst and became a quadriplegic and He has used her greatly). I had great doubts in that area...It was my Worst Fear.

   I believe He allowed my neck to be broken as an answer to my prayer, because He wanted to show me that He could get me through anything...even my worst fear.  There is my Witness, just what I had prayed for. I can now say without any reservation that God can get you through anything if you trust in Him.  He knew I needed a place to let it shine... and then came my store. The framed plaque that hangs on our wall says it all:

   The rest of the story is still unfolding day by day. He is the God of Broken Necks, Broken Hearts and Lord over all our deepest fears. HE IS SUFFICIENT.  Each day brings new challenges, new ideas, new joys, and new people to serve. We have longstanding customers who have become friends over time, long time friends who have become customers, and about every thing in-between.  We promise to do our best to meet your needs and expectations for our services.  All of us enjoy what we do and we think you will see that in what we craft and the selections we have made to offer you.

   In October of 2005 God brought Loren into my life and me into his and together we are taking business forward with the special talents that Loren brings with him.  Watch for new and exciting things to happen in the coming weeks, months and years from our new home base south of Corvallis, Montana, in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Look for us at Cowboy Action Shooting Events and Fairs, Horse and many other events all around. We will be happily showing and selling our products and having the time of our lives.

Special Thanks..

  There are so many people who contributed their ideas, energy, hard work and resources to help us get to where we are today.  Without them this would still be just a dream.  To everyone else who has dropped in over the years with ideas and encouragement  we owe our thanks.

A special thanks to the talented ladies and gentlemen who bring their skills, enthusiasm, and special personalities to work with me. Without them it just wouldn't work.

And last to the customers from all over the world both in our store, at events we travel to,  and online, we would be nothing without you. 

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