As visitors enter the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, they will likely stop in the small town of Gardiner, Montana. With no stoplights, only one grocery store and a span of four square miles, this seemingly one-horse town is the original gateway to the nation’s first national park.
Gardiner was officially founded in 1880, eight years after Yellowstone National Park was established, and served as the only entrance to the park for 30 years. In 1903, the Northern Pacific Railway extended the railroad to access Gardiner for easier transport of visitors, making the area more accessible to much of the U.S.
Today, over 150 years later, the town of Gardiner has expanded across the Yellowstone River with a bridge connecting both sides of town. Many restaurants have come and gone, souvenir shops line the streets, and travel companies help visitors plan their adventure in Yellowstone.
While hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through town to refuel, there is one café that stands out as a local treasure: the Tumbleweed Bookstore & Café. The business has taken many shapes over the years and current owner Leslie-Ann Daher maintains it as one of the busiest and best breakfast and lunch spots, according to locals.
The Tumbleweed offers a place of nourishment and refuge for busy seasonal employees. It’s a place where they can stagger in before a day guiding locals down the Yellowstone River or through the national park, and order a breakfast burrito and a warm drink to nourish the soul.
In a town where food options are limited, and expensive, the Tumbleweed offers a satisfying meal, a cozy atmosphere, and walkability from any part of town. It’s a spot where locals and visitors alike enter hungry and leave with excitement to soon return.
WORDS & PHOTOS BY CARLI JOHNSON
Tumbleweed Bookstore & Café offers gathering place for community, visitors to Yellowstone’s first gateway town.
In 2023, the café faced the possibility of closing. Local and long-time Gardiner resident Anna Holloway had been running the show for the better part of a decade but was looking to move back to her home state of Indiana at the end of the summer.
At the time, Daher was managing for Holloway and the two were working close to keep the Tumbleweed moving during the busy season. As the summer came to a close, and Holloway was making plans to close up shop, conversations were had and a business deal was struck for Holloway to sell the business to Daher.
“I had no idea what I was doing,” Daher shared in an interview with Explore Yellowstone. “I’ve never opened a business before.”
Working in a kitchen, behind a bar, fundraising, and even raising her three children were all jobs Daher knew how to do: running a business was not one of them.
But with support from Holloway, the landlord and current employees, everything came together for Daher to step into this new adventure. “It really was the right place at the right time,” Daher said. “It truly was meant to be.”
At the time, Daher was managing for Holloway and the two were working close to keep the Tumbleweed moving during the busy season. As the summer came to a close, and Holloway was making plans to close up shop, conversations were had and a business deal was struck for Holloway to sell the business to Daher.
“I had no idea what I was doing,” Daher shared in an interview with Explore Yellowstone. “I’ve never opened a business before.”
Working in a kitchen, behind a bar, fundraising, and even raising her three children were all jobs Daher knew how to do: running a business was not one of them.
But with support from Holloway, the landlord and current employees, everything came together for Daher to step into this new adventure. “It really was the right place at the right time,” Daher said. “It truly was meant to be.”
Daher had been working with Holloway long before she became a business owner. The pair met on an unrelated business venture when Daher was working as the fundraising chair for a local preschool and Holloway reached out asking for the preschool to sponsor the annual Gardiner Brewfest.
The Gardiner Brewfest is an annual gathering once put on by the Chamber of Commerce that eventually fell solely into the hands of Holloway. It brings together live music, local art vendors and, of course, local beer for a fun summer evening of dancing and community celebration.
Now, with the change in ownership at the Tumbleweed and no one to organize the Brewfest, Daher has stepped in to fill the role of community leadership that Holloway so effectively built.
Long time employee Izzy Rodman began working at the Tumbleweed when she was 14 years old. Now, at 24, Rodman has seen the Tumbleweed through many phases. “I’ve seen it slowly get more popular, which has been very interesting,” Rodman said.
The Gardiner Brewfest is an annual gathering once put on by the Chamber of Commerce that eventually fell solely into the hands of Holloway. It brings together live music, local art vendors and, of course, local beer for a fun summer evening of dancing and community celebration.
Now, with the change in ownership at the Tumbleweed and no one to organize the Brewfest, Daher has stepped in to fill the role of community leadership that Holloway so effectively built.
Long time employee Izzy Rodman began working at the Tumbleweed when she was 14 years old. Now, at 24, Rodman has seen the Tumbleweed through many phases. “I’ve seen it slowly get more popular, which has been very interesting,” Rodman said.
For someone who grew up in Gardiner, Rodman was used to the quiet winters and booming summers. But even for her, when COVID-19 came around, she noticed a difference in her town and at the café.
During the pandemic, Rodman noted how sales nearly doubled every day that year. Since then, sales have come out to a steady flow. Living in a town with a year-round population of less than 1,000 residents, Daher is proud to own a business and organize events that bring people together and encourage community participation.
With a year-and-a-half of ownership under her belt, Daher recently has begun hosting community events after hours at the café. Her plan is to make the Tumbleweed a space for gathering, dining and community engagement.
During the pandemic, Rodman noted how sales nearly doubled every day that year. Since then, sales have come out to a steady flow. Living in a town with a year-round population of less than 1,000 residents, Daher is proud to own a business and organize events that bring people together and encourage community participation.
With a year-and-a-half of ownership under her belt, Daher recently has begun hosting community events after hours at the café. Her plan is to make the Tumbleweed a space for gathering, dining and community engagement.
The Tumbleweed Café offers space for local artists to sell all forms of art, including greeting cards, earrings, necklaces, and more.
Currently, Daher partners with the Electric Peak Arts Council to host different art focused events. This winter, local singer and songwriter Jackson Holte has been hosting songwriting workshops on Wednesday evenings. On Valentine’s Day, Daher hosted a ladies night that included building your own flower arrangements. Daher spoke with enthusiasm for being able to foster a community space where people can gather.
“I love that part of a community, where you could have people from all different social groups and work circles gather for different events,” Daher said.
While the café embraces change, it remains a cornerstone of the community. A place where long-time residents and first-time visitors alike can find comfort, connection and a taste of local flavor.
In a town where the majority of the year is a quiet, winter haven, having community spaces to gather and spend time together is imperative. Likewise, in the summer, when thousands of people pass through town a day, it’s important to share your community with visitors.
Through dedication to excellent food and community participation, the Tumbleweed Café has effortlessly filled this role. It’s a place where stories are shared, friendships are forged and everyone leaves with a smile.
“I love that part of a community, where you could have people from all different social groups and work circles gather for different events,” Daher said.
While the café embraces change, it remains a cornerstone of the community. A place where long-time residents and first-time visitors alike can find comfort, connection and a taste of local flavor.
In a town where the majority of the year is a quiet, winter haven, having community spaces to gather and spend time together is imperative. Likewise, in the summer, when thousands of people pass through town a day, it’s important to share your community with visitors.
Through dedication to excellent food and community participation, the Tumbleweed Café has effortlessly filled this role. It’s a place where stories are shared, friendships are forged and everyone leaves with a smile.
