Business
Big Horn Boutique closes shop
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Doug Hare EBS Staff
Big Sky – For 17 years, Dorothea Jude has operated the Big Horn Boutique, a retail fixture selling souvenirs and fine merchandise to visitors and locals alike. That is set to change at the end January, when Jude will close up shop for good.
The shop owner looks forward to the well-deserved respite and free time that retirement will bring.
“I won’t be idle, I won’t be sitting in a rocking chair. Trust me,” she said about her future plans. “I will be skiing, hiking and traveling. I have an invitation to visit friends in Austria and it will be nice to see family in Germany too.”
Back in 2001, when she opened up shop, originally in the Big Horn shopping center, Jude recalls business being slower. “We used to have a lot of RVs that would stop at Bugaboo [Café] for a bite to eat, and they would usually stop in to have a look around the shop.”
Jude grew up in Nuremberg, Germany, and landed a job at the Palace of Justice fresh out of university working as a translator for the American government.
Work brought her to the East Coast of the U.S. where she met her husband, Bill Jude, who worked at Glacier and Yellowstone national parks during the summers. Trips to the Treasure State left a lasting impression on the couple, and eventually the couple bought a condo in Big Sky as a vacation spot.
After her husband’s passing in 1996, she decided to open a shop to stay busy and connected to the community. “It was a good move,” she said. “Looking back, it’s been an incredible experience and I’ve enjoyed meeting so many interesting people. Also, I’m grateful for all the support that was given to me … residents and businesses helping one another was essential.”
In 2008, Jude moved her shop to the Town Center Market Place building. When she was recently approached with an offer to buy her space, she decided that that the timing was right to sell. Purportedly, the new owner has plans to open an upscale men’s store.
Jude is quick to reminisce about being a business owner in a steadily growing, small mountain town: “Everyone was always pleasant,” she said. “Usually tourists are in good mood because they’re on vacation, and the locals have always been kind and helpful.”
When asked what advice she would give to future business owners in Big Sky, Jude said, “make your business plan first and get all your ducks in a row. It’s always a challenge in a resort town, but things will get easier with the new development.”
Despite closing her shop, Jude remains optimistic about the future of small retail businesses in Big Sky. Over her years running the boutique, Jude has seen Town Center continue to transform for the better.
“I’ve told Bill Simkins for years we need a hotel down here,” she said. “There will always be plenty of people visiting Yellowstone who need a place to stay, and the [new Wilson Hotel] is going to be good all around. It will help support the retail businesses in town.”
Jude makes a point of thanking everyone who helped her along the way, and one individual in particular—her longtime employee Alix Byrd. “After an accident in my home in May of 2016, she was the one who kept the doors open,” Jude said. “I wish her all the best in her endeavors going forward.”
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm