Retail stores in the Platte Valley have a lot to offer for Christmas shopping

These days in the chronically online world, it is easy to click on an app on your phone or go to big box stores, but did you know that the Platte Valley retail stores have a lot to offer?

In the Platte Valley, Main Street is still alive with shops all around Saratoga and Encampment.

We went shopping before Thanksgiving and found great ideas for Christmas gifts in our advertisers’ stores.

Restaurants

The Hotel Wolf is the cornerstone of downtown Saratoga and offers gift certificates for their restaurant. They also host Christmas Parties. To book your Christmas party, call the Wolf and ask for Noelle. In the winter months the Wolf offers Wednesday night specials featuring their Hunger Buster chicken-fried steak, the Olde Favorite mini-Wolf steak and the Will-Billy grilled chicken.

307 Grub and Pub is located in Encampment and is known for their incredible breakfast menu. The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch. They offer gift certificates and book Christmas parties. To book a party, contact Adrianne.

Bella's Bistro has a statewide reputation for their Italian menu. They offer gift certificates which are good for all of the Orduno family stores in town, including The Lucky Pearl, The Sandwich Shop and Sunny Cup. Bella’s is also a popular place for company Christmas parties.

If you have a sweet tooth, Sunny Cup in Saratoga is the place to be. The cute little store offers everything from ice cream to giant cinnamon rolls. Their ice cream creations include Yeti Shakes. They also offer smoothies, and baked goods.They are owned by the Ordunos, who also own the Lucky Pearl, Bella’s Bistro and the Saratoga Sandwich Company. Buy a gift certificate and it is good for all of their stores.

Retail Stores

The Country Store has plenty to offer in their backroom. This week they are getting a new shipment of clothing to add to what they already have. From fishing hats to small first aid kits, the Country Store offers items for the outdoor person on your Christmas list. They have hats, sweatshirts and beanies too. Looking for a great stocking stuffer - The Country Store offers stickers, koozies and snacks. Of course, they sell gasoline and diesel for those trips up to the mountains to get a tree or to go over to grandma's house.

Bridge Street Bargains has a store full of gently used items. The volunteers in the store can help you find just about anything you need from housewares to winter coats. There are a lot of great items in the houseware section if you are planning for extra guests and need an extra cake pan or blender. It is the perfect place to shop on a limited budget during the holiday season. The best part - the money helps organizations in the Valley.

The Lucky Pearl is a true gem in our Valley. Cassie Orduno has filled the building with items perfect for you. Need a new outfit for the Festival of Trees - the Lucky Pearl has it.

If you are entertaining this holiday, you have to check out their Christmas housewares. Cassie uses her artistic talent to create fun t-shirts. She also has shirts that are labeled Saratoga with a trout leaping on the pocket.

The Lucky Pearl is one of the few stores that has men’s clothing too. In her children’s room, you will find the cutest clothes for any age.

Saratoga Feed and Grain has everything from hay for horses to Cinch jeans for the cowboy or cowgirl on your Christmas list. They also carry Wrangler shirts, Twisted X shoes, Dry Shod and Double H boots. If your horse needs a new pair of shoes, they have those, too. They have a large selection of belts, beanies and hats. They also have clothing for children.

Studio T Gallery in downtown Saratoga is full of artwork from local artists. Beaded bracelets by Carol States are very popular and make a great gift. Marcy Knotwell, of MK, creates beautiful charcuterie boards which are great for entertaining.

Pick up some cheeses, meats and fruits from Valley Foods to make your own charcuterie tray and impress your family and friends.

Local artists like Greg Bergquist, Elizabeth Wood, Jerry Wood and Hope Ferrin offer beautiful photographs and sculptures. Be sure to check out Theresa Ramsey’s functional pottery while there. Owner Trish Kaufman is a stained glass artist and has beautiful bowls to decorate your home. Trish also does fused glass jewelry and artwork. She also has a plethora of handmade jewelry from other artists in the region.

Winter is the season for the cold and flu unfortunately, but Valley Pharmacy has you covered. From cough drops to vaporizers, you can fight off the nasty cold and flu season with all they have to offer. One item they carry is not readily available, according to Pharmacist Robin Miller. Sambucol Black Elderberry supplements are hard to find, but Valley Pharmacy has them. Miller said her customers come in to buy them for family members who don’t live in the Valley because they are not available where they live. Stop in and talk to the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians about what works best for you during the season.

The Outhouse Gift Shop is packed with boxed Christmas Cards. They carry Lazy-One clothing for those cold nights to curl up and stay warm. The comfy, snuggly pants and robes will make you want to spend the winter wearing them. Their Bigfoot collection of the Lazy-One line comes in sizes newborn to adult. Donna Sjoden, the owner, has a lot of items for stocking stuffers including Elk Scat and Reindeer Droppings - both are chocolate covered peanuts. If you are looking for a shirt for a Saratoga Panther or Encampment Tiger fan, she has those too.

The Red Sage Spa is your go-to place for beauty and relaxing massages. The ladies at the Red Sage Spa offer plenty of services including facials, massage, warm stone massage, mud wraps, herbal wraps and salt glow exfoliation. They also do pedicures and manicures. Want a new look for the holidays, Red Sage Spa has the experts for a new hairstyle, but book early, as they keep pretty busy. Need hair care products, they carry a wide variety of hair products including Biolage, Redken, Jaico, Paul Mitchell, Pure Ology and Nioxin.

Koyoty Sports is the perfect outdoor store. Warden Patzer, the owner, has a store full of outdoor gear for everyone. They also sell swimming suits for your guests to enjoy the hot pool in Saratoga. They have a large selection of camo clothing, snow pants, boots and of course rifles and guns. The G-Force Radikal, featured in this photo, has been his most popular gun for three years running. It is a USA Bullpup 12 Gauge shotgun. You will see he has a lot to offer in his store and it is worth a visit, especially if you have a hunter on your gift list.

Shively Hardware has added to their toy section recently. Karen Smith, general manager at Shivelys, has made the traditional hardware store a place to go for toys, games and puzzles.

She is the niece of owner, Mike Glode, and has lined the south wall on the west end of the store with lots of goodies for Christmas shopping.

There is something for every age group, and don’t tell everyone, but she even has an Elmo in the store. For the grill master or those who enjoy deep fat frying a turkey, Shively’s carries rubs, glazes, and frying oil. The newest product is the “Grow Your Own” series, which includes starter kits for herbs for pizza, cocktail or salsa.

These can be started in your home and transferred to the garden in the summer months. If you need an artificial Christmas tree or decorations, Shively’s has that too.

Sculptor Jerry Wood offers one-of-a-kind stone sculptures. Some of his sculptures are located at Studio T Gallery in downtown Saratoga. He doesn’t have a store front of his own in Saratoga, but you can see what he has available on his website - http://www.jerryleewood.com. Jerry also sculpts bowls on stone that are perfect for rings, watches, earrings or even succulents.

Other Fine Businesses

R.G. Raymer Construction is a premier construction company that has been building in Saratoga since 1975.They are booking jobs for immediate start dates. R.G. Raymer does everything from storm doors on up. If you are in need of storage space, Bridge Street Storage has you covered.

Eric Padgett, of Padgett Custom Homes, moved to Saratoga three years ago and offers custom new construction, remodeling, roofing, siding, windows and doors and remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms. He is scheduling jobs for 2025.

Is your family growing? Sonya King with Platinum Real Estate Services can help you find a new home. She can also help if you are downsizing.

Saratoga Forest Management is owned by Gary Erwin. He brought the old LP out of receivership in 2012 and produced the first production run in January 2013. Since that time, Saratoga Forest Management has been running and employs many people in the Valley. Their mission is to provide the highest quality lumber while practicing sustainable forest management for private and public lands.

Big Bale Company is one of the most respected names in the agriculture machinery business backed by a proven, committed service and parts distribution network. So whether you're mowing, raking, tedding, baling or mulching, we know your time is money. And we'll help you get back up and running in no time at all.mulching, we know your time is money. And we'll help you get back up and running in no time at all.

If you don’t have room for all your guests, Copperline Lodge has cabins for your guests. Owner Dan Pont, remodeled the old lodge and has a homestead feel with homemade quilts, barn quilt art and log headboards. Along with the rustic charm, they have modern amenities including the only electric car charge in the Valley.

The Hotel Wolf is over 100 years old and has rooms to rent. Step back into time when you enter a room that overlooks the main streets in Saratoga. Room #9 is aptly named “The Joe Pickett Room”. For those not familiar with Joe Pickett, he is a fictitious game warden created by internationally known author C.J. Box. The Hotel Wolf, particularly the room, was featured in one of his books. The hotel with no elevator is a throwback to the wild west past with both small rooms and spacious suites housing individual baths.