Star Stadium Theatres’ Liquor License Request Approved by RS City Council

ROCK SPRINGS — Starting on April 1, 2022, Star Stadium Theaters will be able to serve beer, wine, and mixed drinks just like any other restaurant in town.

After hosting a public hearing, the Rock Springs City Council approved a restaurant liquor license request from Encore Cinemas, Inc., doing business as Star Stadium Theatres. Councilor David Halter was the only one to vote against the license.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, Star Stadium Theatres General Manager Jonathon Crawford answered questions from the Council about the liquor license request for the theaters located at 2441 Foothill Boulevard in Rock Springs.

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According to Star Stadiums liquor license application, liquor would be sold year round from noon until 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The license will run from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

“We’re going to keep it simple,” Crawford said.

The theater is planning on offering six to eight prepackaged items, such as wine and beer, for residents to choose from, Crawford explained. They will also make sure the employees distributing the alcohol receive TIPS training and are the appropriate age to sell liquor.

Crawford said they will not only be installing a scanner to read driver’s licenses and passports, but there will be more cameras in the lobby area. They will have around 20 cameras throughout the common areas.

As for drink limits, residents will only be allowed two alcoholic beverages per visit and they are installing a system that can track how many beverages a person has purchased per day. Crawford said he is not sure how long that data will be stored, but he will look into it.

Councilor Tim Robinson wanted to know what was preventing someone from purchasing alcohol and then giving it to a teenager.

Crawford said they will have additional cameras and plan to have staff walk through the auditoriums. They can also ask mall security for enforcement help if it becomes an issue.

Councilor Keaton West asked how the theater did when they sold alcohol for the University of Wyoming games.

Crawford said it went really well other than the fact that the majority of the games were cancelled due to COVID-19.

West said if for some reason there is an issue at the movie theater with alcohol sales, the liquor license is reviewed annually, just like all of the others.

So far, movie theaters in Cheyenne, Laramie, and Casper have obtained liquor licenses, according to Crawford.

Prior to July 2, 2021, theaters didn’t qualify for a restaurant liquor license because of the types of food they serve. However, the Wyoming Legislature removed the restrictions of types of food that must be served for an establishment to qualify for this license type. This change allowed for theaters to apply for liquor licenses.

Other Business

After a public hearing, the Council approved all of the application renewals for microbrewery, winery, restaurant, retail, limited, bar and grill, and resort liquor licenses for the period of April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.

Under new business, the Council approved an amended request from the Rock Springs Main Street/URA for permission to apply for a CLG Grant from the Wyoming State Historic Office to assist with terra cotta restoration for the First Security Bank Building, in the amount of $45,848.14. At last month’s meeting, the Council approved a nearly $39,500 request. The estimated cost of the project has increased, which is why the application amount has also increased.

Council accepted a resolution for an Airport Improvement Program Agreement for Transfer of Entitlements from the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport Board to the Central Wyoming Regional Airport, for partial repayment of funds loaned by the Central Wyoming Regional Airport, in the amount of $1 million.

Under resolutions, the Council approved a resolution for a Concessions Rent Relief Airport Rescue Grant Agreement Part I Offer between the U.S. Department of Transportation F.A.A. and the City of Rock Springs, for providing relief from rent and minimum annual guarantees to each eligible in-terminal airport concession at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport.