You know, I’ve met a lot of folks in town with interesting stories—but Jeff and Patty Bergin of Dakotah Jewelry & Gifts? Well, their story sparkles just as much as the jewelry they sell. Nestled right in the heart of downtown Estes Park at 167 E Elkhorn Ave, you’ll find a shop that’s more than gemstones and silver—it’s the result of a life built one mile, one market, and yes, one ring at a time.
From Phoenix to a Pair of Binoculars
You may not believe it, but the whole thing started nearly 49 years ago with a gym membership and a single man’s ring. Jeff was running a health club in Phoenix when a customer walked in wearing a ring he couldn’t stop admiring. So, he offered her a sweet deal on a gym membership—if she’d trade him that ring.
And she did.
Later that winter, Jeff headed home to South Dakota for the holidays. He stopped in a sporting goods store to pick up a pair of binoculars, and—get this—the guy behind the counter wanted that same ring. So, Jeff traded it again. That ring got more air miles than most of us do in a year.
But it didn’t stop there. Jeff started sending jewelry back to that same sporting goods store from Phoenix—and before long, he and Patty were selling pieces on the road. The jewelry business had taken hold.
Life on The Road (With Kids Under the Table)
Jeff and Patty didn’t just dip their toes into selling jewelry—they dove in headfirst. They were vendors at rallies and events all across the country, including the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for 30 straight years. Daytona Beach, New York, New Hampshire—you name the rally, they probably had a booth there.
Now imagine hauling displays, setting up tents, and selling jewelry for days—while raising two daughters at the same time. Patty chuckled when she said their girls spent half their childhoods under tables at events. It was a family business in every sense of the word.
“You do what you gotta do,” she said. And do it they did.
From Road Warriors to Elkhorn Ave Locals
After years of driving coast to coast, setting up and tearing down, Patty and Jeff were feeling road-weary. Around that time, their daughter decided to attend Colorado State University in Fort Collins—which pulled the Bergins a little closer to the Rockies. Jeff had already done shows in Denver, including Taste of Colorado, and Patty said they’d come peek at Estes Park during those trips.
It was just supposed to be a visit.
But as luck—or maybe something bigger—would have it, they stumbled across the perfect storefront space right on Elkhorn Ave. It was 2009. The lease became available after Christmas. They took it.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
15 Years in the Heart of Town
Dakotah Jewelry has now been part of the downtown Estes Park community for 15 years. You’ll find them just steps away from Bond Park, with their warm smiles and beautiful selection of handcrafted jewelry. From necklaces and rings to unique gifts, it’s the kind of store you go into just to browse—and end up finding something special you didn’t know you needed.
Patty said it best: “We didn’t know it at the time, but this is like one of the pillars of downtown.” And she’s right. It’s not just the location—it’s the people behind the counter who make it shine.
Come On In and Say Hello
Next time you’re walking through town—maybe with a caramel apple in one hand and a shopping bag in the other—pop in to Dakotah Jewelry. Say hi to Jeff. Say hi to Patty. Hear their story firsthand and maybe find a piece of jewelry with a story of its own.
Because in Estes Park, the best shops come with a little bit of history, a whole lot of heart—and, sometimes, a motorcycle rally or two.
Until next time,
Gerald
Dakotah Jewelry & Gifts
167 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-8400
