Not on my Town Square

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

By Patrick Dolan

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-After the Jackson Hole Shootout moved locations to the northeast corner of the Town Square this summer, some shop owners complained that business will suffer due to the large crowds and limited pedestrian space on the boardwalks. But others see it as harmless cap gun fun.

The Shootout, which has been a summer tradition in Jackson for more than 50 years, brings hundreds of tourists to Town Square to watch the good, bad and ugly face-off in a song and dance version of Old West justice. But while the crowd is mostly considered a boon, some are put off by the slight change of venue.
Pam Winters of Buffalo Trails Gallery, a fine arts dealer on the corner of Center Street and Deloney Avenue, said that she wishes the Shootout were back in its original location, on the southeast corner of the Square.

 “We’re not against the Shootout, we just don’t think our corner is the right spot,” Winters said in an interview, Monday. Winters said that when the event changed locations for the first time this year, she was told that it would be a temporary switch.

 Hillary Burbank, a salesperson at Hines Goldsmiths, agreed that the large crowds on the boardwalk often block the doors and prevent customers from shopping.
Maureen Murphy, who manages events for the Chamber of Commerce, said she changed the location this year at the behest of Town Council. The main reason was to improve traffic flow through the Square, she said, but also because renovations to the southeast antler arch required the removal of sound system wiring. It was rewired on the northeast arch and Murphy said they are there to stay.

Other shop owners welcome the wandering masses. Vic Payne said Mountain Trails Gallery has extended their hours because of increased business from the Shootout.
 “Anything that draws people to the Town Square draws people to business,” Payne said. “It’s been great.”

 Pam Flores, also of Mountain Trails, said, “Sometimes I think there are some humbugs, but it’s right out our front door and we like it.”
Payne and Flores both reported a spike in “qualified” buyers from Shootout traffic. 
   Some suggested all the issues could be resolved if the duel were staged in the George Washington Memorial Park, located on Town Square.
 “I would love to do the Shootout in the Town Square park,” said Jeffrey Whitlock, writer and director for this year’s Shootout. “It would make set-up easier, and keep things more contained.”  JHW


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Not on my Town Square | Planet JH News Article: General News

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