Cheyenne's "The Wrangler" (aka Boot Barn) is remodeling!

A view of The Wrangler's store front during remodel - Optopolis

Starting on February 28th, 2024, Downtown Cheyenne's Boot Barn (called "The Wrangler") has been remodeling the store, and they plan to reopen later this month!

A glimpse at The Wrangler, Corral West, and Boot Barn

The Wrangler's sign on the east side of their building on Capitol Avenue notes that they are "famous for ranchwear since 1943." The building in which they currently reside is noted to have been built prior to the 1900s, possibly in 1882 (the date noted in the Laramie County Property Assessor's GIS map--note that build dates this old may not be exact).

"The Wrangler - Famous for Ranchwear since 1943" - Optopolis

A Downtown Walking Tour sign on the side of The Wrangler notes the same build date of 1882, and it is labeled as "The Phoenix Block." The Downtown Walking Tour PDF notes that "this is yet another of Warren's 'Nine', the first hotel in the state replete with a full plumbing system for water and gas." It also mentions that this building contained the longest-lasting hotel in the upstairs area, and the hotel "was the [Normandie that] served the public from the 1880s to the early 1940s."

According to the Library of Congress, The Wrangler is known for its namesake Wrangler jeans that have no inside seam. The Visit Cheyenne, Wyoming page mentioning The Wrangler notes that the main building was joined with an adjacent former hotel in the 1960s. Only In Your State notes that the store sells boots, cowboy hats, and other clothing items.

Animatronic horse sits on the overhang at the corner of Capitol Avenue and East 16th Street - Optopolis

At this time, it's not quite clear here at Optopolis as to when Corral West Ranchwear and The Wrangler partnered up, although The Wrangler was already being promoted alongside Corral West as of mid-1990. In the late 2000s, the parent company of Corral West Ranchwear went through bankruptcy. In late 2008, Boot Barn acquired the twelve Corral West locations in Wyoming, at which point, The Wrangler would also become a part of Boot Barn.

Remodel underway

You may have noticed a bunch of cargo bins sitting in front of the Frontier Mall Drive* Boot Barn location, formerly Corral West. According to various people in the Cheyenne community, Boot Barn is simply storing some of the supplies from the Capitol Avenue store at the Frontier Mall Drive* location temporarily until Capitol Avenue's "The Wrangler" is remodeled.

Containers, fork lift, and cargo bins sit in front of the Frontier Mall Drive* Boot Barn - Optopolis

So... What all does the remodel encompass? According to the Stores/Retail Remodel/Addition permit submitted 09/15/2023, this is a "minor remodel to an existing retail store that consists of new sales fixtures [and] finishes."

Taking a look at the site plans, it appears the general layout of the store isn't drastically changing, it's more the visual elements that are going to be updated. The exterior appears to not have plans for substantial changes--if any--at this time.

"Closed during renovation sign" taped onto a window at The Wrangler - Optopolis

A sign in the window of the Capital Avenue store indicates that the store will reopen on March 16th. In the mean time, they encourage visitors to head to the Dell Range Boot Barn location (or, Frontier Mall Drive location as referred to in this article); or to shop on their website.

What's your favorite part of "The Wrangler"? The red building? The retro-looking sign on the roof top? The cowboy on a horse animatronic on the northeast corner of the building!? Let us know your thoughts of the remodel in the comments!

*The Frontier Mall Drive Boot Barn is not to be confused with the Frontier Mall Boot Barn/Corral West that was located near JCPenney inside the adjacent Frontier Mall. The "Frontier Mall Drive Boot Barn" referenced in this article is the Boot Barn on the SE corner of Dell Range Blvd and Frontier Mall Drive.

Originally published: 03/07/2024 at 10:02 AM MT

Updated: 03/10/2024 at 8:04 PM MT to embed photo that includes the Normandie Hotel.

Location: Cheyenne, WY, USA

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