The historic Wagon Box in Story has just been listed for $3.195 million with Wallack Commercial Realty, but that doesn\u2019t mean it is closing.<\/p>\n
In fact, a new chef is working toward reopening its restaurant by mid-December while owner Paul McNiel explores selling the property or finding a financial partner who could help him keep it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McNiel told Cowboy State Daily he isn\u2019t \u201chellbent\u201d on selling. He\u2019s just opening several doors to see which offers the best way forward for the property and his vision for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBasically, from the beginning, I got into a project that needed more investment,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comfort Food With French Flair<\/p>\n
The new chef is Julian Gagnon, who co-founded Washington, D.C.,\u2019s French bistro Butterworth\u2019s in 2024 with chef Bart Hutchins.<\/p>\n
Gagnon, who has been staying at the Wagon Box for about a week, hopes to reopen the restaurant by mid-December.<\/p>\n
His plan is familiar comfort food prepared with French culinary techniques, from meatloaf and fried chicken to duck breast and pierogis stuffed with duck confit.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy style of food has always sort of been taking home-style food and applying the French technique to it,\u201d he told Cowboy State Daily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gagnon said he\u2019s reviewed the previous restaurant\u2019s pricing and plans to stay within a similar range.<\/p>\n
While in Story, Gagnon has been introducing himself around town. He visited the local library as well, looking for history books and inspiration. He\u2019s learned that the Wagon Box has a long history of being a food destination.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really don\u2019t see any reason that this can\u2019t happen again,\u201d he said. \u201cI know this area has gone through its ups and downs, but I think if we build it now, we\u2019ll be ready for when things are able to turn around fully.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gagnon plans to operate year-round and will initially try opening seven days a week, adjusting the schedule based on business during the first few weeks. He also plans to keep hours current on social media and Google Maps to ensure people don\u2019t make the drive only to find the restaurant closed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More Than One Way Forward<\/p>\n
McNiel said a sale wouldn\u2019t necessarily derail the restaurant plans. He envisions an arrangement in which a buyer would take over the property subject to a restaurant lease, allowing the operators to continue under the new owner.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s also not ruling out finding a new financial partner who would help him keep the place going as is.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m opening the doors to see what\u2019s available out there,\u201d McNiel said. \u201cI\u2019ve looked, over time, at different options, and right now we\u2019re looking at selling, partnering, and various other options.\u201d<\/p>\n
McNiel said his goal remains the same \u2014 making the Wagon Box a destination for locals and travelers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis whole idea that I\u2019m trying to attract people from out of town,\u201d he said. \u201cYes, that\u2019s what the Wagon Box has been doing for 100 years. And we\u2019re going to continue being a destination for people who appreciate the beauty of the Bighorns and the wonder of this cozy little spot.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Long Search For Partners<\/p>\n
McNiel has sought investment partners ever since purchasing the Wagon Box.<\/p>\n
His earliest proposal sought to find them through a decentralized autonomous organization, or DAO. It would have offered participants access to the property through an arrangement similar to a digital timeshare.<\/p>\n
The idea did not sit well with some locals and drew many questions about the future of a beloved community gathering place. More than 150 people attended a 2023 town hall to hear about it.<\/p>\n
McNiel later dropped the DAO proposal, but continued pursuing his broader concept of a destination where people gathered for writing, discussion and retreats.<\/p>\n
Chef Vincent Fiore\u2019s arrival earlier this year brought a new restaurant concept to the struggling location, but that arrangement ended with Fiore\u2019s abrupt departure and the restaurant\u2019s closure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fiore told Cowboy State Daily in September that his vision differed from McNiel\u2019s, while McNiel pointed to the challenges of operating a restaurant in a small community amid criticism from some residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
McNiel said he wanted to clarify that his statements at the time were directed toward a small group of people, rather than the entire community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of the Story and Sheridan communities are wonderful people whom I think of very highly,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I said negative things, I meant them toward a very small handful \u2014 and those people know who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the new restaurant operator has a track record of opening successful restaurants and will do \u201can incredible job.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Sale Might Not Be Goodbye<\/p>\n
McNiel still hopes the property can host writing retreats and other gatherings, including those focused on homesteading. Even if he sells, he doesn\u2019t expect to stop bringing people together to think, write, pray and share ideas.<\/p>\n
That could happen at another property he owns. Or he might return to the Wagon Box with a group, renting space from whoever buys it for a weekend getaway.<\/p>\n
If the right person comes along to strike him a check, McNiel said he might move on. But he also feels that people in the community are \u201cready to give us a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve seen how much we put into it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to tell which way it will end up. Things can go in a lot of different directions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ren\u00e9e Jean can be reached at renee@cowboystatedaily.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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