Another Downtown Cheyenne Business Closes Shop (Commentary)

It's been a tough year for merchants in downtown Cheyenne, especially those on Capitol Avenue. This week, KustoM Thread and Ink, which had occupied the corner lot on 17th and Capitol, closed their doors.

Sadly, Kustom is the fourth business within a two block radius to leave the area. Former neighbors Mitchell's BBQ vacated their location on 1720 Capitol Avenue in October.

One block south, the Drunken Skunk Bar went out of business in July. Earlier in the year, the owners of Camille's Gumbo House next door also shut down.

Meanwhile, the historic Cheyenne Depot remains vacant after the recent closing of the Cheyenne Brewing Company, which was in business for less than six months.

Sadly, things could get even worse in 2016. The Historic Plains Hotel recently went on the auction block. Several other downtown businesses are rumored to be struggling as well.

Perhaps the situation actually needs to get worse before it gets better. Maybe then, the City of Cheyenne will take the necessary steps to support downtown retailers instead of making it more difficult for them to do business.

One thing's for sure. While local merchants continue to vacate the city's core, more Cheyenne residents will spend their money in Fort Collins. Which is a shame, because downtown Cheyenne is steeped in both history and potential.

Hopefully, someone with enough money and political clout will come to the rescue...before it's too late .