A new restaurant and bar in Wapiti recently received the go-ahead to replace one that was popular with patrons, but drew the ire of neighbors and the Park County government. 

At the March 18 meeting, Park County commissioners unanimously agreed to approve a special use permit for Remington Restaurant. The facility, which previously housed the Cutthroat Guest Ranch, also includes three short-term rental cabins off of Stagecoach Trail. 

Russ Smith, who owns the new establishment with wife Bethany, made a point to note how their business will operate differently, including by operating no outside amplified music. Neighbors had objected to what they said were loud concerts at the Cutthroat when it was operated by Courtney and Randel Hooper; the Hoopers disputed the complaints.

Smith said he visited with the Remington Restaurant’s neighbors about their concerns before presenting a plan to the county.

“The biggest thing was loud music, and that is something we won't do at all,” he said at a March 18 commission meeting. “We want to tame this down.”

Smith said the goal is to provide Wapiti residents with a restaurant and bar right in the area that avoids having to drive to Cody.

“We understand what it was previously, and we're not doing that,” he said. “That's not who we are, or what we're attempting to do here. We’re trying to provide a service for the people in that area.”

The Hoopers had a rocky relationship with the county government. Commissioners fined the Cutthroat $300 for holding a 2020 music festival and rejected a request to allow more outdoor entertainment at the guest ranch. The board later issued another $750 fine after the Cutthroat held an outdoor concert in the fall of 2021.

In approving the SUP with the new owners, commissioners ensured that the terms of the approved permit would include no amplified outdoor music. 

In their application, the Smiths noted that the new business plan includes just six beds in the short term rentals as opposed to the nine under previous ownership, as well as no permanent residence on the property. 

“They feel the noise and traffic impact is less than under the previous owners’ SUP because the current applicant proposes to provide fine food and quiet dining with no amplified music on the property,” county planner Jenny Cramer said.