8 Old-Timey General Stores In The Rockies
In this age of corporate conglomerates and relentless online ads, it's nice to tap into old-school shopping experiences. To visit a place where a real live person stands over a wooden counter before a wealth of trinkets, souvenirs, handicrafts, everyday essentials, and usually a few surprises. To be a patron in a mom-n-pop business that's been in the family for decades (in some cases, even a century!), where you can feel the community's essence, offers a different kind of adventure. And what better place to bring it back to analog than in the grounding presence of the Rocky Mountains. So if you find yourself in these state or provincial enclaves, ditch the big-box, and small-box (i.e., cellphone), for a change and embrace these old-timey, medium-box General Stores.
Bragg Creek Trading Post: Bragg Creek, AB
This eclectic town hides in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, harboring an Old West shopping plaza, an extensive network of multi-use nature trails, and a 93-year-old general store known for its authentic native crafts. The Bragg Creek Trading Post sits along Elbow River, at the end of the hamlet's "Heritage Mile," right before the entrance to the Bragg Creek Provincial Park (a favorite picnic spot for summertime weekenders). Being adjacent to the Tsuu T'ina Nation, Bragg Creek has long been connected to Western Canada's Indigenous communities, and its general store is no exception. Established by Jack Elsdon in 1932 to trade with natives along the Stoney Trail, Bragg Creek Trading Post continues to showcase locally-made moccasins, mukluks, Cowichan knitwear, and other genuine crafts, as well as everyday essentials like farm fresh eggs and honey, gas, and treats for the road/campsite.
Lake Louise General Store: Lake Louise, AB
Another of Alberta's standout general stores occupies one of the most picturesque destinations in all of Canada. The Lake Louise General Store resides within the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (circa 1890), within Banff National Park.—a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, along the shore of Lake Louise. So a visit to this modest souvenir and provision shop checks several significant boxes all at once. Patrons can find a hotel, lake, and Canadian-themed apparel next to functional wear that will come in handy for paddling across the milky-blue waters, or hiking up to the mountainside tea houses and glaciers. Guests of the 5-star hotel and campers alike can also rely on the general store for toiletries, basic pharmaceuticals, snacks, and light reading materials. But for all its merits, the best part is actually leaving the shop, for it is then that namesake attraction reveals itself.
School House Gifts: Apgar Village, MT
Speaking of lakeside general stores within world-famous national parks/world heritage sites, Apgar Village's School House Gifts definitely deserves a gander. Housed within an adorable one-room schoolhouse (which operated from 1915 until 1958), this humble Montana shop now serves visitors of the famous Glacier National Park—millions of whom roll through Apgar Village between late June and mid-October on their way onto or off of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Similar to the Lake Louise General Store, School House Gifts sells a range of performance and branded apparel, curios for the kids, memorabilia for relatives back home, and even bundles of firewood for those spending the night at Apgar Campground. Whatever School House Gifts lacks, its neighbors are sure to pick up the slack. Along the same short stretch of Apgar Loop Road (and inching ever closer to the foot of Lake McDonald), Montana House, Eddie's Mercantile, and The Cedar Tree complete the village's quadfecta of general stores.
Cedar Street Bridge Public Market: Sandpoint, ID
Stretching the definition of a general store ever so slightly, Sandpoint's Cedar Street Bridge Public Market is a one-of-a-kind place that has earned its stripes over the centuries. What began as a simple footbridge across Sand Creek in the late 1800s later evolved into a car crossing before being condemned the following century. Rather than see this inanimate member of the community be torn down, Scott Glickenhaus reconstructed it in the style of Florence, Italy's Ponte Vecchio. Now, this two-story, 400-foot-long marketplace features a wealth of pop-up and permanent vendors selling everything from cheeky signs and shirts to plants and postcards to ceramics, candy, and charcuterie. And since Cedar Street Bridge is lined with nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, shoppers can enjoy views of not only the waterway underneath but also the verdant mountain ranges of the Idaho Panhandle (all offshoots of the Rockies).
Eagle’s Store: West Yellowstone, MT
The town of West Yellowstone is basically one big general store. In an effort to stall tourists on their way into Montana's portion of Yellowstone National Park from (you guessed it) the West Entrance, all up and down North Canyon Street (and its adjacent blocks) are novelty shops aplenty. And though the racks of colorful t-shirts and forgettable souvenirs may make it seem as if all of these stores are interchangeable, Eagle's Store distinguishes itself from the herd (bison reference!) in a few key respects. Founded in 1903 by Samuel Eagle and family-owned and operated since 1908, Eagle's Store has a palpably old-timey vibe to it. As advertised below the store's main sign, the back-bar historic soda fountain (lined with original leather stools) is a great place to indulge in some nostalgic sweet treats. Sugar-rush achieved, one can then peruse Eagle's inventory of moccasins and Native American crafts, cowboy boots, hiking, camping, and fishing gear, and yes, a fair share of touristic souvenirs that always seem like a good idea when in the midst of a quintessential American road trip.
Electric Avenue Gifts: Bigfork, MT
Bigfork, Montana, sits inconspicuously between the northeast shore of Flathead Lake (the largest lake west of the Mississippi) and the Rocky Mountain subrange of Flathead National Forest. The town's short but sweet commercial strip flows along Electric Avenue (named after the circa 1889 powerplant, which preceded Big Fork's platting), where you can find Electric Avenue Gifts. What began as a barside gift shop has since grown into a bustling, standalone business. Voted "Best Gift Shop in the Flathead Valley," Electric Avenue Gifts covers many bases. We're talking cutesy home goods (bird, bee, fish, mushroom, pet, and state-themed, etc), locally-sourced cherry concoctions, and even a year-round Christmas section. And even though the business relocated in 2008, it effortlessly retains an old-timey feel, especially during the annual Rumble in the Bay, when vintage cars line the parking spaces out front.
Gold Hill Store and Pub: Gold Hill, CO
Speaking of bar-based shops, Gold Hill Store & Pub awaits just ten miles west of Boulder, at the site of Colorado's first permanent mountain mining camp (est. 1859). Perched at an altitude of 8,300 feet-above-sea-level, and within shouting distance of the acclaimed Rocky Mountain National Park, this stylishly rustic microcosm certainly puts visitors firmly in the mountain mood. Far more than an outlet for tote bags and t-shirts, Gold Hill Store & Pub is a top-rated tavern, cyclist-friendly cafe, everyday eatery (specializing in pizza, homemade sandwiches, and baked goods), and a hotspot for live music. From Thursday through Sunday during the summer, full bands take to the recently-constructed outdoor stage, whereas in the winter, smaller ensembles set up next to the indoor fireplace (talk about cozy).
Banff Trading Post: Banff, AB
Let's bring it back to the province of Alberta one last time (can you tell I'm from there?). Whereas Lake Louise General Store has the stunning lakeside views, Banff Trading Post ups the ante in terms of history and inventory (and the views are nothing to sneeze at either!). As the name suggests, this 122-year-old trading post can be found in the Town of Banff, in the heart of Banff National Park, Canada's oldest and most visited national park. Founded in 1903 by Norman Luxton and transferred to the Garbert Family in 1961, this warm and woody general store is all about genuine Indigenous goods. From mukluks to moccasins, beadwork and other jewelry, leather bags and blankets, artisan soaps and candles, and even wall-to-wall taxidermy, Banff Trading Post covers everything cultural and outdoorsy. If this sounds like your kind of place, continue south through the thick of town, cross the Bow River, and then look for the sizable totem pole out front. Afterwards, if you feel like continuing the tribal themes, pop next door to the Buffalo Nations Museum.
Keep It Classy, Keep It General
Amidst the timeless Rocky Mountain peaks and ancient alpine lakes, these eight old-timey general stores are stocked full of goods and even better vibes. Whether you're searching for a memorializing souvenir, supplies for the campsite (or lodge), wholesome grub, or even a bit of entertainment, these locally owned stores shirk specialization and modernization. So, for this next trip through the Rockies, whether that is north or south of the border, consider visiting these shops!
