Historic Wyoming Rock Shop Inn Revived by New Owner on South Pass
On a crisp February Saturday evening, the Rock Shop Inn Saloon on South Pass in Wyoming was buzzing with life. Barstools were fully occupied as local residents exchanged news under the soft glow of bottle-lined shelves. Patrons gathered with beers near the warmth of an antique pot-bellied stove, while a man delivered a dozen eggs to a friend and a silky black puppy made an appearance, eliciting delighted reactions from the crowd. The front door chime tinkled continuously as more visitors arrived, filling the establishment to near capacity.
From Humble Beginnings to Community Hub
This weekend scene might resemble countless other watering holes across America, but this particular establishment sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation amid rock outcroppings and wind-warped pines. Tucked alongside the banks of Willow Creek in a landscape crease, the Rock Shop Inn is easily missed by vehicles speeding along Highway 28. Despite its remote location, what began as a modest one-room gem store in the 1970s evolved into a popular local destination for beer and live music throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The business expanded to include a restaurant serving breakfast and burgers to hunters, snowmobilers, passersby, and outdoor enthusiasts who could camp on the five-acre property with easy access to trails, creeks, and bouldering crags of the southern Wind River Range. However, in recent decades, the restaurant closed, and subsequent private owners restricted public access to the property.
Anthony Prate's Transformative Vision
Today, the Rock Shop is once again attracting guests and building local patronage thanks to Anthony Prate, who has collaborated with his father since 2019 on a multi-year renovation project. Their efforts have produced a well-appointed saloon complete with antique furniture, custom artwork, and a restored player piano. Prate has also overseen the complete renovation of all five guest cabins into luxurious lodgings that now welcome visitors year-round.
Guests and locals can utilize the property to access cross-country ski trails, snowmobile tracks, and hiking paths. Prate is currently working to restore one element that longtime residents particularly miss—the restaurant. Even without full food service, the Rock Shop has become an increasingly popular spot for enjoying a beer, spending a weekend getaway, or hosting events like weddings.
Community Reception and Historical Significance
Year-round residents of South Pass and nearby Atlantic City express genuine enthusiasm about the establishment's revival. John Mionczynski, an ethnobotanist and naturalist from Atlantic City who performed at the Rock Shop decades ago with his former band The Buffalo Chips, now makes regular appearances to socialize with friends and often delivers spontaneous piano concerts.
"It's beautiful," Mionczynski remarked. "I think it's progressing in an excellent direction to become a permanent gathering place for locals. Being situated along one of the highways to Yellowstone, once the restaurant opens, I can almost guarantee it will become a tremendously popular destination."
From Illinois to Wyoming Mountains
Growing up in Illinois, Prate learned construction skills from his father, who owns a roofing company. After high school, he served five years in a U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance unit. As he transitioned from military service around 2019, Prate initially anticipated taking over the family roofing business. However, his father Michael had different plans, proposing a road trip west to examine a property he believed held potential as a family enterprise.
When father and son arrived at the Rock Shop after dark, they nearly drove past it. Upon daytime inspection, Anthony recognized the property needed work but immediately saw its potential. "He knew that I was kind of an outdoors guy, and I grew up roofing with him and was good at it," Prate explained. "I think in his heart, he knew I'd be happy out here. So he offered this opportunity, asking if I wanted to create a family legacy."
Comprehensive Renovation and Local Integration
Before purchasing the property from former owners who used it as a private hunting lodge, Prate had never visited Wyoming. Captivated by the state's expansive landscapes and small-town atmosphere, he packed his life in Illinois and moved to the mountains to begin renovations.
"The property needed loving attention to make it presentable and safe for the public," Prate stated. "That was my first priority, along with cabin remodels." After cleaning the land, he removed "no trespassing" signs and dismantled gates that had restricted public access. He focused initially on the cabins to generate rental income before dedicating substantial effort to the saloon renovation.
While Prate performed much of the initial work independently, his father visited frequently, delivering pieces from his extensive antique collection and assisting with projects. Simultaneously, Prate recognized the importance of community outreach, regularly patronizing Atlantic City's two restaurants to gradually acquaint himself with local residents.
Winning Over a Skeptical Community
"Much of the work involved reversing the property's reputation," Prate noted. "I needed to communicate that we were reopening this place to the public." This endeavor required winning over local residents—a hardy, self-reliant population who choose starry skies, deep snow, and rugged country over urban amenities like big-box stores and food delivery services.
Atlantic City resident Bob Townsend explained that newcomers making grand promises typically encounter healthy skepticism. When Prate invited him to view cabin renovations, Townsend agreed. "I visited and saw one completed cabin with others in various renovation stages," Townsend recalled. "When he showed me the finished cabin, I told him, 'You're going to out-Jackson-Hole Jackson Hole.'"
Prate assured him this would occur without Jackson Hole prices, and Townsend believes he has achieved exactly that. Cabin decor features warm wood, custom logwork furniture, shed antlers, Western artwork, and carefully placed antiques like vintage skis and lanterns. Fully stocked kitchens, modern bathrooms, and locally made ceramics demonstrate meticulous attention to detail.
Saloon Atmosphere and Inclusive Philosophy
This aesthetic extends to the saloon, which boasts an intricate wood stove, cloudscape-dominated artworks by Mark Maggiori, and a substantial log-cabin-style pool table. Previously unfinished wood interiors were sanded until floors resembled desert landscapes and walls gleamed. A copper installation in the bathroom hallway depicts the Wind River Range, while a local welder provided metal latticework for banister accents. A bear trap is inlaid under thick glass at the entrance, and Prate installed his German uncle's historic beer can collection on a small shelf above the bar.
Upstairs, antique upholstered furniture, card tables, and the piano create a more decorous atmosphere. The understated quality, warm colors, and absence of televisions are intentional choices, Prate explained, designed to foster genuine human interaction. "We cater to everybody," he emphasized. "I don't care if you're a muddy, bloody hunter returning from the field or a New Yorker enjoying a mountain stay in our cabins."
Creating Lasting Legacy
As an avid bar patron himself, Prate recognizes the essential quality that defines excellent watering holes, whether rustic dives or upscale destinations. The lodgings are dog-friendly, and Prate offers discounts to veterans and public service workers.
Proprietorship of a remote outpost known for getting snowed in during notorious blizzards isn't for everyone, but Prate appears ideally suited. He enjoys solitary moments behind the bar with a book as much as tending to a full house of talkative customers. His detail-oriented nature manifests in finding perfect placements for knickknacks and artwork. "It's the little things," he observed.
Townsworth noted that Prate maintains high standards without being stuffy, refusing to rent cabins or open the saloon until they meet his exacting criteria. Consequently, the restaurant opening might require additional time, but Townsend expressed confidence: "I believe it will become the most beautiful restaurant in Wyoming."
Though kitchen and dining room construction is underway, Prate remains cautious about committing to an opening date, simply responding "soon" with a chuckle when asked—the same answer he's provided for years. The original intention he and his father established was to create something enduring and meaningful.
"We're not just going to turn and burn this place," Prate affirmed. "This will be our legacy forevermore. This is very much a labor of love."
