CASPER, Wyo. — MTB Entertainment Group, LLC has submitted applications for bar and grill liquor licenses, signaling intentions to purchase two iconic downtown Casper theaters, the America and the Rialto. The Casper City Council reviewed the applications on Oct. 10, and public comments will be collected in a subsequent meeting.
The Loopnet website listed both theaters, the America at 119 S. Center St. and the Rialto at 100 North Center St, for sale in May, with a 25-year non-compete clause, preventing the buildings from being used to show movies.
They are currently listed as “under contract.” BrokerOne Real Estate represents the properties.
Built in 1917 and 1921 respectively, the America and Rialto have been landmarks in Casper. The Rialto has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Current owner, Movie Palace Inc., previously sold two downtown theaters while expanding on both the town’s east and west sides.
Plans for the Future
Realtor John Trost with BrokerOne Real Estate and Windy City Housing, Pete Maxwell owner of Atrium Plaza and co-owner of the Gaslight Social, and Jake Bigelow list themselves as partners in MTB Entertainment LLC.
Upon approval, MTB Entertainment plans renovations for both locations.
“We’re not really touching any of the facade of anything, just a remodel on the stage,” Maxwell said. He added the need for more bathrooms to meet the current capacity.
Both venues, targeting a January 2024 opening, will host concerts, comedy shows, and wedding receptions. The menu will feature hot dogs, pizza, and nachos.
Maxwell, addressing concerns about shifting concerts from the Gaslight Social, stated the new venues would primarily serve as winter indoor locations. He highlighted the challenges faced at the Gaslight Social during the summer. “Last summer, it rained every show,” he recalled, expressing the benefits of having an alternative venue to safeguard against unpredictable weather.
MTB Entertainment remains tight-lipped about detailed plans but commits to preserving the buildings’ historical essence.
