Hats off

The building at 107 W. Bridge in Saratoga has been standing for over 100 years. Originally constructed in 1906, the walls and windows of the structure have not just seen multitudes of customers over the years, but have seen owners come and go as well. Originally owned by W.C. Edwards, it changed hands over the years until, in April 1999, it came under the ownership of Bill and Cris Fournier.

On May 28, 2018 the couple bid farewell to the building that had been home to their business, Hat Creek Saddlery and Trading Post, for almost 19 years. In fact, 19 years after they themselves had purchased the building, it went to another industrious couple: Tyler and Marie Christen. Nevertheless, members of the community were sad to see that the Fourniers would not be greeting them as they walked through the large double doors of the building.

The Hat Creek that became a staple of the Bridge street businesses didn’t start out right away selling tourist souvenirs and western art.

“It started off that we were mainly doing custom saddles and horse tack, but we found people coming in said we had really nice things but they didn’t own a horse,” said Fournier

So the couple made the decision to begin selling tourist items and home decor which quickly became another aspect of their business. According to an article in the July 7, 1999 edition of the Saratoga Sun, the Fourniers were equally as busy running the business as they were making repairs to saddles and boots of local ranchers. As time passed, however, the couple found that as much as they loved the business, they couldn’t keep up with it as much as they had been able to in the past.

“Bill is 77, so we decided to list the building and we had an offer within a few days,” said Fournier.

Once the contract went through and the Christens closed on the building, it was just a matter of moving the remaining inventory to make way for the new owners. With tears in her eyes during a recent interview, it showed that Fournier will miss not just the business, but the people she was able to see as well. She has no doubts, however, that the building is in good hands.

“Marie and Tyler, they are the perfect compliment to each other. They’re already very successful with the bakery and I think the extra room for the bakery and the restaurant will be a great asset to the community,” said Fournier. “I’m really grateful they’re going to keep some of the retail. It’s good to have young people in downtown Saratoga.”

With the amount of free time that Fournier has now, she doesn’t have any plans of sitting still.

“I hope to ride our horses more and we’ll stay in this area because you can’t find a more beautiful place to live,” Fournier said.

As for the people who were used to seeing her at 107 W. Bridge as they walked through the doors, Fournier says they will be able to see her and Bill around town.

“We’ll still be here, probably at the post office like everybody else.”