Old Cody library could become restaurant/brewery

Posted 5/28/13

But first, the owners-in-waiting must face some competition for a liquor license.

The county announced in February that the downtown Cody property — located on the northwest corner of Sheridan Avenue and 11th Street — was under contract with …

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Old Cody library could become restaurant/brewery

Posted

If Park County’s pending sale of the former Cody library goes through, residents could say goodbye to an empty building and hello to a new restaurant and small brewery.

But first, the owners-in-waiting must face some competition for a liquor license.

The county announced in February that the downtown Cody property — located on the northwest corner of Sheridan Avenue and 11th Street — was under contract with a buyer. While the Park County Commission remains mum on the prospective new owner, public records say a group of businessmen hope to make the spot the “Millstone Pizza Company and Brewery.”

An application to the city of Cody for a bar and grill liquor license lays out a plan to convert the old library building into a family-friendly restaurant, sports bar and arcade that would offer pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, crafted beers and entertainment.

The application packet says two Cody men — Rich Petersen and Brad Constantine — intend to buy the property from Park County and have leasee Gary Johnston run the establishment. Johnston owns and operates a similar type of business in California called The Big Cheese Pizza Company and Brewery.

The county has been trying to sell the library building since it became vacant in late 2008.

A hurdle for Millstone Pizza Company and Brewery is that it’s one of two applicants seeking the city of Cody’s only remaining bar and grill liquor license.

Cody resident Leonard Moore hopes to get the license to start up the Pat O’Hara Brewing Co. Moore said in his application that he’s aiming to offer craft beers from a micro-brewery and a full service restaurant in a relaxing atmosphere. The brew pub would be located just off Sheridan Avenue, at 1019 15th Street.

Moore sought a more flexible retail liquor license for Pat O’Hara Brewing Co. last year, but narrowly lost out to another applicant in a hotly contested process.

The Cody City Council will hold a public hearing on the license requests at its June 4 meeting and then choose between Pat O’Hara Brewing Co. and Millstone Pizza Company and Brewery.

Each proposed establishment needs the bar and grill liquor license to move forward on their plans for bar areas.

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