Out West Trading Co. is both modern and rustic in the feel of the downtown shop, but also in the unique gifts and clothing in the store.

The store opened last week in the former Nelson’s Hardware space on Central Avenue.

Owner Jamie Munson said he was visiting Flathead Lake this summer when he decided to make a trip up to Whitefish and found the retail space.

The Whitefish store is similar to its namesake store in Ketchum, Idaho. Munson said Ketchum and Whitefish are similar resort towns, so he knew that Old West Trading would fit in well here.

Munson said detail has been taken to include both items that a visitor might pick up on vacation — like a T-shirt with Whitefish on the front — or residents would purchase — like a cozy sweater or winter hat.

“We’ve designed our store for both locals and visitors,” he said.

Some of the unique items include gifts from WOODCHUCK, which creates wood products such as journals with a wood cover in a variety of designs. For every product sold, WOODCHUCK plants a tree.

Other unique, fun gifts include a puffy vest beer koozie and sheepPAL, foot stools shaped like sheep and made with a sheepskin pelt.

When he was young, Munson lived in Troy before his family relocated to Missoula. His father was one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Munson owns a set of retail stores called Simply Seattle. Opening a retail store in Whitefish, he says, was a way to visit Montana. Tina Meyer is the manager of Old West Trading Co. here.

Out West includes items clothing items for men, women and children. Along with stuffed animals and books for children, there’s also unique candles, stickers, water bottles and post cards.

Munson said the store offers items that aren’t found in other shops in Whitefish.

“We want anyone to be able to find something for themselves or a gift for others here,” he said. “We’re looking to curate a collection of different products that can add to the community.”

For more information, visit www.outwesttradingco.com.