High school sweethearts Trinity and Trevor Thatcher have bought the Cowboy Saloon and Dance Hall in Laramie, Wyoming, the venue where they had their first date years earlier. The couple took over the bar despite having little experience in the hospitality trade, and their purchase comes at a time when several nearby venues have been forced to close due to falling sales, underscoring the precarious state of small-town nightlife businesses in the region.

Neighbouring bars reported sales drops of up to 40%, and both the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne and the Sundance in Fort Collins shut down, with some of their equipment and customers subsequently passing to Cowboy. Despite the tough climate, the Thatchers' venue has thrived, reaching capacity by 9.30pm on a recent Wednesday event, and the pair have adapted by trimming their menu, expanding catering and hosting weddings and community events. They have also responded to changing drinking habits, particularly among younger patrons, by boosting non-alcoholic options such as NA Corona and mocktails, which have proved unexpectedly popular.