Local antique shop to be featured on TV pilot
<p>Portrait of Cowboy Ron Turner in the new location of the Cowboy Cabin / Old West Antiques and Interiors at 5098 Hwy 93, south of Whitefish on Friday, March 11. Turner is an antiques dealer specializes in high-end Old West genuine historic merchandise. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Portrait of Eila Turner outside the new Cowboy Cabin on Friday, March 11, south of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Interior of the Cowboy Cabin / Old West Antiques and Interiors on Friday, March 11, south of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>In the foreground is a revolver that belonged to Roy Rogers, the singer and cowboy actor who appeared in over 100 films. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Authentic Native American belt buckles featuring turquoise on display at the Cowboy Cabin on Friday, March 11, south of Whitefish. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Local Western antique store Cowboy Cabin will be featured on the upcoming pilot episode of “The Wild West Trading Post,” a new series on the INSP network.
The owners of Cowboy Cabin, “Cowboy Ron” Turner and his wife Eila, said the journey to being featured on the show was a hectic one.
Ron said it began with a network scout approaching the couple with the idea. After a period of discussion and exchange of photos and ideas, both parties agreed to filming an episode for the show.
“They were looking for a particular Western historical dimension,” he said. “And we’re pretty good at that particular adventure.”
The real complications began after the Burbank, California-based film crew arrived. Cowboy Cabin had been operating at a building on Wisconsin Avenue in Whitefish for almost 10 years. Then in late 2015, at the height of the holiday shopping season and in the midst of filming, they were given notice by the building’s owners that they were losing their lease and would have to move out.
“Right in the middle of filming the [agent] came and told us to get out,” Turner said. “It was a real crazy time for us.”
The couple were able to finish filming, then had to pack quickly and leave the building. Fortunately, Turner said, they were able to find a new space just outside of Whitefish on U.S. 93 South.
Now that they’ve had time to settle into the new location, Turner said they’re looking forward to watching the episode.
“Circumstances with the network ended up pushing the pilot’s air date back,” Turner said. “But now we know for sure it will air and when, and I’ll be excited to even see it. It will be fun. I’m hoping it’s good!”
Turner said the episode will air nationally, and he’s hoping it shines a light on the Cowboy Cabin and its unique historical offerings.
“We have something for everyone, at every level of price,” Turner said. “It’s history for everyone.”
“The Wild West Trading Post” pilot will air on the INSP network (www.insp.com) on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. MST; it will air again Sunday, Aug. 28, at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Check your local provider’s listings for the specific INSP channel number.
According to information provided by INSP about the pilot episode, “In rugged Whitefish, Montana, the Old West is alive and kicking at Cowboy Ron’s one-of-a-kind Western store. Along with his wife, Eila, Cowboy Ron buys, sells and trades authentic Western memorabilia and preserves the spirit of the rugged individuals who tamed America’s wild frontier. Clad in his signature buckskin shirt, Cowboy Ron entertains customers with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Old West and enthusiastically horse-trades for valuable guns and knives, vintage saddles and spurs, Native American collectibles, and even the occasional stuffed grizzly bear. Along the way, he provides a glimpse of the almost-forgotten days before the West was won.”
The network will determine if the series will continue based on the success of the pilot episode.
Cowboy Cabin is located at 5098 U.S. 93 S., Whitefish. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or by appointment. For more information, call 406-862-5011 or visit www.cowboycabin.com.
Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.