Proudly Local Business: Pat’s Waterton

"It’s just another day at the office for us, but to someone else, it might mean a lot more."

In small towns, the local corner store is more than just a store — it’s where memories are made and community ties are strengthened. Whether it’s a camper swapping trail tales with a fellow adventurer, a family marvelling at the day's wildlife sightings, or a local catching up on the latest town news, every visit to the local store offers a chance to connect.

In the historic community of Waterton, Pat’s Waterton stands as a cornerstone of tradition. Established in 1928 as a modest service station during the rise of automobile travel, it is one of the oldest buildings in town and has remarkably passed through only a few owners in nearly a century.

For Tyler Wammes and his brother Jordan, the journey to becoming the owners of this iconic business began with a family deeply rooted in the area. Their parents, who returned to Waterton after years away, were approached by the previous owners, Pat and Sue, who were ready to retire and looking for the right hands to continue the store’s legacy. “Mom and Dad talked about it and while it wasn’t the right fit for them, they thought Jordan and myself might be interested,” said Tyler. “It kind of came out of nowhere, but we thought it would be interesting to give it a go.”

Despite the challenges of securing funding and navigating the realities of ownership, their commitment to preserving and enhancing Pat’s became a source of pride for their family. “It’s great to have a perspective that Waterton and our community is a destination for people internationally,” says Tyler. “Right now, someone is sitting in another part of the world planning their trip to the Canadian Rockies and they might just be a customer of ours.”

Alongside essentials like fuel and snacks, the store offers souvenirs and clothing designed to stand out from the typical tourist shop fare. Pat’s is also known for its equipment rentals, including its famous four-wheel surrey bikes, a tradition in the park since the 1970s. “The bikes are kind of our claim to fame,” says Tyler.

"Right now, someone is sitting in another part of the world planning their trip to the Canadian Rockies and they might just be a customer of ours.”

But the thing most rewarding to Tyler is sharing in the responsibilities that are unique to living in a remote community. For example, Waterton doesn’t have cell service in over half of the park, so Pat’s acts as the local service provider for AMA. “A lot of times we aren’t just doing our daily job of running the store, we’re out in the community boosting someone’s car or helping to fix a flat tire,” says Tyler. “It’s just another day at the office for us, but to someone else, it might mean a lot more. I enjoy being able to help people, locals or tourists alike.” 

Looking ahead, Tyler and Jordan hope to carry on the rich heritage of Pat’s while finding ways to expand the store’s seasonal offerings. Currently, the station isn’t set up to withstand the extreme winter conditions in Waterton, but the brothers have hopes of one day extending their service into the off-season. “We’re always thinking about how we can do more for the community and visitors,” says Tyler. “But in the end, we simply just want to carry on in the community and keep the business alive.”

For nearly a century, Pat’s Waterton has evolved into much more than a place to refuel. Today, it’s a cornerstone of the community, offering visitors and locals alike a unique blend of history, hospitality, and convenience.