Outdoor boutique in Town Center outfits locals and visitors alike with unique brands
By Leslie Kilgore EBS CONTRIBUTOR
Caroline Kelter and Elizabeth Bradley met at a dinner gathering in Big Sky just a few years ago where they first shared their similar dream of opening a boutique shop in Big Sky that featured unique lifestyle clothing and ski wear. Now, that mutual dream has come true with the opening of their new store, Bluebird in Big Sky’s Town Center.
Named for those perfect bluebird days that we all love to ski, Kelter and Bradley bring something to Big Sky that fashionable skiers and outdoor enthusiasts have never seen here before. A space for their customers to gather for events, share stories of recent adventures, celebrate the Big Sky lifestyle, while also featuring carefully curated ski wear and lifestyle brands that any fashionable and active person would appreciate and covet. And they’ve sought out brands that aren’t usually offered in boutiques or stores, with many sold direct-to-consumer.
“For the merchandise, we took the curation really seriously. We sought out brands we love, brands that aren’t sold in many other places, technical ski wear lines, fashionable outdoor brands, great denim brands, sophisticated menswear and fun accessories,” said Bradley. “We want it to be a place where women and men can always find something they need or love for on and off the mountain.”
Located on Town Center Avenue in the heart of Big Sky’s ever growing shopping and dining area, Bluebird’s space is expansive and colorful, with a cozy sitting area for their customers to gather while they shop. Many of the brands they feature are not sold anywhere else in the Rockies or even in North America, such as Peak Performance, a sleek, highly technical brand for men and women based in Sweden; The Great Outdoors, a new outdoor segment of the cult favorite THE GREAT.; Halfdays, a female-owned brand based in Colorado; the London-based Shoreditch Ski Club, which features an urban take on outerwear; and the Rialto Jean Project, a brand known well in the area for its founder’s roots and connection to Bozeman.
“We wanted to create a place where locals would want to come to shop and a destination for tourists to come year after year,” said Kelter. “We made a point to have a wide selection of both skiwear and lifestyle pieces for both men and women. We want Bluebird to be a special and unique shopping experience; our goal is to create a store where people can come to shop and also hang out for a while.”
