Staple of Downtown Green River under new ownership

Mike Frink, proprietor of the long-time Green River-based business Sweetwater Trophies and Gifts, recently announced the sale of his business along with his retirement.

Sweetwater Trophies was in business for 22 years under Frink, but was a staple in the downtown business district for decades prior.

According to the Sweetwater Trophies website, "Mike purchased Sweetwater Trophies in 2002, taking over a locally owned business that has served Sweetwater County for over 40 years."

"After my retirement from the school district, I started working for Charlie Stickney, who was the original owner," Frink explained. "Within a year he approached me about purchasing the shop, and the rest is history."

Earlier this month, Frink announced that he had sold Sweetwater Trophies to Bill and Kayla Duncan. The Duncans also own the businesses next door, The Admin Group and Twisted Timber Apparel. Kayla Duncan has already had a wide impact on the business community in Green River, currently serving as the Vice President on the Green River Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Duncan said she and Bill will continue to operate SWT in the same manner it has always been, and even stressed that Frink himself has been formally training her and Bill.

"We are learning from Mike to ensure everything will still be the same quality that the community has come to expect from Sweetwater Trophies," Kayla explained.

Sweetwater Trophies is still currently open, offering all the same services. The new owners are looking forward to a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will take place sometime in the next few weeks, and showcasing their new set up.

Over the years, Sweetwater Trophies provided many organizations statewide with awards, plaques, engraved keepsakes, framing services, and medals. Sweetwater County School District No. 2 has used Sweetwater Trophies almost exclusively for all their trophies, plaques, and medals for their athletic and forensic teams.

Frink, a self-proclaimed golf enthusiast and long-time member of Rolling Green Country Club, even created a special design for the High School Golf team that includes the picturesque pine trees that Rolling Green Country Club is known for.

One of the original designs Frink is the proudest of are the plaques for the Green River High School Hall of Fame.

"Tom Wilson and I worked together to create the design for the annual GRHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony plaques," he explained. "I am happy knowing those plaques will line the halls of the high school for years to come."

Frink has often given back to the community in many other ways, regularly donating goods and services to local organizations, and serving as a member of the Green River Futures board and the Green River Main Street organization, just to name a few. He was also employed by Sweetwater School District No. 2 for 22 years as a warehouseman before buying Sweetwater Trophies and Gifts.

Frink is looking forward to boating at the Flaming Gorge, working on his golf game, hunting, spending more time with his grandchildren, and traveling with his wife Kandy, who retired a year ago from Western Wyoming Community College.

Frink also wants to thank all his customers over the years for their support and continued business.