Joy in Community: The Last Best Store takes Pride in June

Summer is rapidly approaching here in Montana, as evidenced by the wildflowers and farmers markets, as well as annual celebrations of love, community, and the Great Outdoors. At The Last Best Store, we're embracing it all. This month’s blog rounds up some of our most exciting updates, including last-minute Father's Day gift ideas, a sneak peek at our upcoming Fourth of July collection, and a deep dive into Missoula Pride 2025—featuring art, activism, and apparel that make a difference. Whether you’re planning your summer gift list or gearing up for the block party of the year, we’ve got something vibrant in store.

Raised Flags, Raised Voices

As June begins, we at The Last Best Store are feeling inspired, energized, and proud. This week, Missoula City Council made history by adopting the Pride flag as one of the city’s official flags and proclaiming June as LGBTQiA+ and Two Spirit Pride Month. By adopting the Pride flag as an official city flag, the Council effectively circumventing a newly enacted Montana law (HB 819) that restricts the government display of politically affiliated flags. The resolution asserts Missoula’s commitment to creating a welcoming place for all—especially in the face of legislation many see as targeting marginalized groups. With overwhelming public support and only two dissenting votes, Missoula joins other progressive cities across the West (e.g., Boise and Salt Lake City) in protecting civil right and reaffirming its values of inclusivity, safety, and community for LGBTQiA+ residents.

For more information, check out this article by Arren Kimbel-Sannit in our favorite local media outlet, The Pulp.

This moment of local recognition beautifully sets the stage for Pride 2025, and we are honored to stand alongside our community in celebration, action, and visibility. 

Pride in Every Thread: Missoula Pride 2025

Our revamped Missoula Pride collection is live and overflowing with fresh energy. This year’s collection features local community models, new 2025 merch (with more to come!), and all the joy, color, and love you expect from Missoula Pride.

The 2025 featured design was created by local artist T.Lyle, a psychedelic surrealist whose work blends digital and mixed media techniques. T's career in industrial design and their exploration of spiritual and technological intersections lend depth to their visual storytelling. The design centers on the Pink Triangle, a symbol of reclaimed resistance. Originally used by the Nazis to stigmatize queer individuals, the triangle was later re-appropriated by the Silence=Death Project to raise AIDS awareness. Now upright, it stands as a beacon of defiance, solidarity, and action. Behind it blooms the rainbow flower of life, representing strength and unity within the LGBTQiA+ community. The flowing lines of the Missoula Pride logo symbolize Missoula’s rivers, and the many paths that converge here in a spirit of love, inclusion, and pride.

Check out T's full artist statement on the Missoula Pride website!

It has truly been a pleasure to work with T and the co-founders of Missoula Pride to create apparel and other merchandise featuring this gorgeous design. By purchasing from the Missoula Pride collection, you are not just acquiring a stylish and meaningful item–you are actively supporting their annual programs and the broader community they serve. A portion of every purchase furthers Missoula Pride's vision to create spaces where people from all walks of life, with all gender and sexual identities under the rainbow, can come together to feel seen, be heard, and be in community with one another. Join us in amplifying the voices of the LGBTQiA+ community and celebrating the diversity of Western Montana.

Missoula Pride co-founders, Devin Carpenter and Logan Foret, work hard every year to plan a wide array of entertainment and educational activities for people of all ages, many of which are free or donation-based. They put their hearts, minds, and a considerable amount of energy into serving the diverse needs of Missoula's LGBTQiA+ community and we are proud to be a small part of their fundraising efforts.

Featured Pride Event: Queer Under the Big Sky

Missoula Pride 2025 offers events for people of all ages and walks of life, LGBTQiA+ community members and allies alike. Check out the Missoula Pride 2025 schedule overview (above), and visit missoula-pride.com/events for full event details.

We’re especially excited to share that The Last Best Store’s own Arielle Smith (that’s me, your blog author!) will be showing three original works in the Queer Under the Big Sky art show at Frame of Mind, a group show that brings together LGBTQiA+ artists from across the region.

🖼️ Opening Reception: Friday, June 13, 4:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Frame of Mind, 1706 Brooks Street
🗓️ Exhibit Duration: June 2–28, 2025

This event features works from over a dozen queer artists and includes a one-night-only art market, live DJ performances by Greg Ragan, Auntie E, and Coach Shane, plus food and drink from Aiko’s Food Truck and Bamboo Bar.

Learn more about the show

We hope you’ll come out to support all the featured artists and celebrate Pride through creativity and connection.

Volunteer for Pride + Visit Us at the Block Party!

Want to give back? Missoula Pride is still looking for volunteers. SIGN UP HERE to support this incredible weekend.

And don’t forget—The Last Best Store is the official vendor at the Missoula Pride Block Party on Saturday, June 21! Stop by our booth to shop 2025 merch, meet our team, and soak in the community vibes.

Rainbows, Rainbows, Everywhere! 

We believe Pride should be celebrated all year long, and our store reflects that. Check out our in-store and online rainbow-themed collection, featuring the entire Missoula Pride collection PLUS:

• Handcrafted rainbow jewelry and keychains

• Rainbow-themed graphic tees and hats

• Small-batch handmade soaps and locally designed tumblers

Each item is made in Montana and curated to spark joy and affirm identity, no matter the month.

Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts (June 16!)

Need something meaningful for Dad? Our Father’s Day Gift Ideas Collection is full of Montana-made finds that are actually fun, useful, and thoughtful.

Shop hot sauces, artisan coffee, cribbage boards, grooming kits, Griz gear, and one-of-a-kind gift boxes—all handcrafted right here in the USA.

Skip the shipping delays (with our quick order fulfillment, there's still plenty of time to order online) and shop local with confidence. Explore the full collection online or in-store before Sunday, June 16!

Stars, Stripes, and Sneak Peeks: July 4th Preview

Looking ahead to summer BBQs, family gatherings, and celebrations of an inclusive civil society (because Pride and patriotism are not mutually exclusive), we're already thinking about American Independence Day. Stay tuned for the release of our 4th of July Collection, including:

• Patriotic and indigenous original art

• Star-spangled wood and metal plate patch hats

• Montana-crafted BBQ food and gadgets

Whether you’re heading to the lake or hosting a backyard bash, you’ll find Montana-made treasures to help you celebrate.

Thanks for marching through June with us—in every sense of the word. Here's to love, resistance, celebration, and sunshine. See you at Missoula Pride!

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Arielle Smith is a recovering academic, a mom, and an aspiring wordsmith who helps The Last Best Store to manage an assortment of projects, programs, and data. She harmonizes these and other intellectual pursuits with an eclectic range of creative activities including Dj'ing, spawning mixed media art and jewelry (Presents of Mind Design), and crafting botanical skincare products (Dr. Smith Botanicals).