Outside Magazine - Finding LGBTQ+ Community near Grand Teton National Park

Traveling through the small towns in Wyoming along the way to Grand Teton National Park can be fascinating and an adventure in itself. When you spend time in them, you find one-of-a-kind curios, locally owned lodges and unique restaurants that enrich your vacation. We’ve rounded up four incredible LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Jackson, Wyo., which is minutes from the park.

John Frechette and his partner, Christian Burch, own three very elegant and popular stores in Jackson: MADE, Mountain Dandy and Mursell’s Sweet Shop. They also own M by Made, which is located in Wilson, Wyo., less than a 10-minute drive from downtown Jackson.

One of Frechette’s favorite places in Grand Teton National Park is the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.  He recommends the three-mile hike, which leaves from the visitor center and leads to the lower edge of Phelps Lake. You can extend the hike around the lake, or keep it an easy jaunt along a rushing creek.

“The trail is limited (for the most part) to folks who arrive early enough to get a parking spot at the visitor center, making it pretty quiet even in high season,” Frechette says. “Bring your bear spray and if you’re really daring…your bathing suit.”

Here’s more about their one-of-a-kind shops.

MADE

Discover hand-made items from more than 360 American artists at this small shop in Gaslight Alley, located at 125 North Cache in downtown Jackson. John Frechette originally opened it to sell his handmade fused-glass belt buckles. But he expanded its offerings to include hundreds of artists with products that range from candles to blankets.

You’ll find beautiful vintage-style national park posters and greeting cards, bucking bronco pint glasses, Wyoming flag blankets, earring studs and cufflinks made from bullets and grass-fed beef jerky. For those looking to bring some western hospitality home, you might bring back a “Howdy” doormat or a Jackson-themed decorative pillow. This is a great place to find special gifts for hard-to-shop-for friends and family.

Mountain Dandy

If you’ve never imagined what a subtly masculine-fueled home goods shop could look like, stop in at Mountain Dandy. Depending on what’s in stock, you may discover sheepskin bean bags, coffee table books on skiing and the American cowboy, mustache wax sold in aluminum containers, after-shave balm, ceramic trays and even a pizza cutter made with an antler. You’ll find this gem at 265 West Pearl Ave. in Jackson.

Mursell’s Sweet Shop

Mursell McLaughlin operated her Mursell’s Chocolate and Pottery shop for more than 30 years before she retired and handed over the keys to her doors to John Frenchette and his partner, Christian Burch. They renamed the shop Mursell’s Sweet Shop and have been serving locals and travelers sweets to fuel their days ever since. You’ll find candies and chocolates from all over the world here. There are gummy bears, chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, triple-dipped malt balls and more. It’s on 125 North Cache.

M by MADE

The newest shop of Frechette’s and Burch’s, this well-designed home goods store is located in Wilson, Wyo., the closest town to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and the east entrance to Teton Pass, which leads to Idaho. It’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown Jackson. You’ll find national park-themed puzzles, stationary, jewelry, beautiful ceramic products and even whimsical products like a “Howdy” tote bag and a Ruth Bader Ginsberg ornament. It’s located in the Westbank Center at 3445 N. Pines Way, Ste. 105.

More Information:
www.madejacksonhole.com

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