Kathy’s Koffee Review

This is a guest post by Lisa McIntyre. Learn more about how you can guest post for Daily Shot Of Coffee here.

Kathy’s Koffee
302 West Ramshorn
Dubois, WY 82513
(307) 455-3862

We drove from Colorado up through Wyoming in search of fabulous experiences in small packages, and were led to Dubois (pronounced DOO-boiz), population 962. It rests on the edge of the Shoshone Mountain Range of western Wyoming and lies just south of The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. We arrived in this unassuming town on a cold, sunny day with winds that darn near blew us off the wooden-planked sidewalks that stretched along each side of the main street.

At the end of the block few discovered Kathy’s Koffee and walked into the smell of bacon and fresh coffee. I tell you … JJ and I were in heaven! Kathy quickly introduced herself and asked us what she could get for us. We are in the habit of feeling out a place before we introduce ourselves and our intentions – to get a true sense of the people and the vibe. So we just grabbed a “cuppa joe” and observed the surroundings for a bit.

She smiled and laughed with a couple of local ranchers who wandered in for a cup of her coffee and a homemade pastry. One of them, Bob, sat down under the window to read the morning paper. He introduced himself to us and asked where we were from (guess is was obvious that we weren’t from Dubois). Kathy came over and they both started sharing all of the beautiful and unique things about the area … Clydesdales are trained there – the Super Bowl commercials are claimed to have been filmed close by, it is home of the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, and southern gateway to The Grand Tetons.

The place itself is a rustic, two story shop at the end of a building and the block. It faces south and the sun shines brightly through the panes of glass onto the pine paneling, wooden chairs and stone fireplace. Downstairs is full of small tables and chairs, a sofa and oodles of coffee-themed art. Upstairs is her favorite … she beamed as she took me up the stairs to the wall of photos where she honors the local military heroes, young and old. “We are very patriotic here in Wyoming”, she said with a smile. Close by was a photo of Chance Phelps, the fallen Marine from Dubois. Taking Chance, a 2004 HBO movie, was filmed there and told his story. His father’s military photo hung next to his. All of this from a little town of 962 folks !

Just beyond the wall was a large community table surrounded by big chairs, poetry, and warmth. Kathy loves being part of the community in Dubois. She even gladly opened her coffeehouse and her heart to one of the baristas who camped out there temporarily during the season break in Jackson Hole. The high school and college kids use the space upstairs to hold meeting, study, and just hangout with their friends.

Kathy’s father left her some money after his passing and she knew exactly what to do with it. She eagerly found a location, purchased the equipment and opened her doors. Kathy opened the coffeehouse in 2001 as she wanted to give the town a place to go where they could feel welcome and eat her yummy homemade foods.

We left Kathy’s with a big smile and a pocket map of directions on how to drive over the pass safely to The Tetons. Next time you are on the road in western Wyoming please stop in and say ”hi”! Tell Kathy that Lisa sent ya!

Lisa McIntyre has an inherent, crazy love for “mom n’ pop” coffeehouses and communities in which they reside. She just returned from a five month road trip with her teenage daughter, JJ, in their vintage RV. They journeyed across America’s northwest highways from big cities to small towns discovering the hidden soul of America via these great gathering places. You can contact Lisa at lisa@peaceloveandcoffee.org.