DSA NEWS
SPOTLIGHT | WYLD ADVENTURES
Kelsey and CJ Rathjen opened WYLD Adventures in July of 2022 and have had their eyes and hearts focused on their future in downtown Sheridan ever since. The couple felt motivated to open a store in Sheridan for several reasons. During the pandemic, after spending more time together as a family, the couple realized the best way to maintain the lifestyle they wanted was to start their own small business. In the process of planning, they decided that leaving Colorado and moving back to Sheridan where they grew up was the best path for them to take as a family. Kelsey and CJ wanted to create a business that offered people the ability to get outdoors in an economical way. This concept inspired CJ to start a rental department on the Adventure side of the store that includes paddle boards, snowshoes, kayaks, altai skis, and camping gear for backpacking and car camping. While Kelsey runs the WYLD side of the business with clothing, accessories, home goods, and art; CJ runs the Adventure side of things. The two are settled into their space enjoying small business life and constantly expanding their inventory. Kelsey says genuinely kind things about the brands and local products she carries and with her magnetic personality, she attracts pretty great individuals to sell their brands at WYLD Adventures. “We try to support other women-owned businesses. Jewelry with Becki Butterfield is now available too!” Kelsey said with a smile. Not only does she carry locally-made jewelry, but she [...]
SPOTLIGHT | PO NEW & FLAGSTAFF CAFE
Mark and Janine Demple have owned and operated PO News & Flagstaff Café for eight years in downtown Sheridan. The Demple family is somewhat of a staple to the downtown history and Mark had some interesting facts to share about the business and his heritage. In April of this year, Mark and Janine’s daughter Laura joined the PO News & Flagstaff Café crew as an assistant manager to Mark. In her words, she is “learning the ropes to be able to step into Mark’s shoes” and take over the business in time. She has a passion for the business and Sheridan’s history, as well as some great knowledge about where her heritage comes from; she’s a bright young lady. Not only did Mark’s great-grandfather come to Sheridan in 1887 and start Sheridan beer, but the Demple descendants still managed the Sheridan beer brand. “There is historic value to the restaurant, people are dining in history when they come here,” Mark said of PO News & Flagstaff Café. What started as a smoke shop, post office and newsstand in 1916 it has become much more of a Main Street staple for the Sheridan community. When asked for a fun fact about the PO News & Flagstaff Café, Mark pointed at the back brick wall of the restaurant (pictured in the graphic) and said, “That brick wall is the end of the building. When the restaurant was created there wasn’t room for a kitchen, so the walkway between buildings was enclosed to [...]
SPOTLIGHT | KID CURIOUS
What’s one of the happiest places on Main Street? Kid Curious of course! The joy of a toy store is truly magical and who can resist the colorful sections of fun? Kid Curious was opened four years ago in downtown Sheridan by owners Kim and Jamie Franzman, and what a treat they are to the community! “For us, customer service is where it’s at,” Kim said of the store. They thrive on providing a stellar experience for shoppers of all ages. “Give us the age of the kid you are shopping for and we will help find the best options!” She added. Kid Curious is a one-stop shop for any event AND they offer free gift wrapping with purchase! At Kid Curious, the shelves are filled with an array of toys, from classic favorites like stuffed animals and building blocks to the latest STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) products and games. Whether you’re a child or an adult, the joy of a toy store reminds us all of the boundless potential for fun and creativity catering to ages 0-99. Kim and Jamie spoke about focusing on hands-on developmental and interactive play at Kid Curious, “Our whole thing here is that we try to lean away from electronics, screens, and batteries and focus on developmental play.” Kid Curious just got a new arrival, a Wyoming-made product called Dope Slime! The colors, scents, and texture combinations provide a whole new sensory experience. “We try and have unique, quality items that you [...]
SPOTLIGHT | ONCE UPON A STORY
Once Upon a Story has been providing Sheridan with dresses and elegant wear for the better part of eight years. Once Upon A Story is owned and managed by Dawn Brehmer and she specializes in wedding dresses and formalwear. Dawn caters to the whole experience when you shop at her store; from trying on and ordering to all alterations being done in-store, it’s all for you as a client. The cost for alterations is included in the purchase of the dress, which isn’t traditionally the case in special occasion stores. Once Upon a Story carries sizes 4-32 and can order as needed to accommodate customers and they carry styles for events like bridal, prom, formal, homecoming, and pageant. You can also find sundresses and some more casual pieces as well! Not only can you find dresses at the store, but they also offer suit and tux rentals that include shirts, pants, vests, and ties. “We carry designers that you can’t get anywhere close to here!” Dawn said of the store’s selection of dresses. Once Upon a Story has beautiful Jonathan Kayne dresses. What is cool about Jonathan Kayne? Well, he was on Project Runway and designs bright-colored, more abstract dresses that are some serious show-stoppers! You can expect some new Jonathan Kayne dresses in the store very soon – this new line is special because they were created in collaboration with other project runway participants. In addition to formalwear, you can find accessories like fun earrings, and necklaces at Once [...]