PO News & Flagstaff Cafe Keeps 1916 Shop Interior Intact

The PO News & Flagstaff Cafe in Sheridan retains its original 1916 interior, including glass display cases and ceiling fixtures that have not been altered in 110 years. The establishment stands at the corner of Main and Loucks streets, maintaining the physical layout of a smoke shop that has evolved into a modern cafe. Co-owner Mark Demple stated that the original humidors and cabinets remain in place, creating an environment that mirrors the shop's appearance at its inception.

The business has served multiple functions over the last century. It began as a tobacco shop and later housed a post office, a detail that contributed to its current name. The Schriver brothers owned the venue for more than 50 years before it changed hands several times. In the 1940s, the owners expanded into an adjoining space to accommodate a magazine section and a small tea and pastry shop. To support the growing dining area, they enclosed the alleyway between the two buildings to construct a kitchen. Demple and his wife, Janine, acquired the property after a previous owner suggested the sale.

The Demple family took over the business in 2015. Mark Demple was operating the Open Range restaurant at the time and purchased the cafe from a friend who had managed it for eight years. He cited the location on Main Street and the existing reputation for food quality as primary factors in his decision. The transition allowed the couple to run a business they owned directly. They have maintained the core operations while introducing modern equipment, such as an espresso machine, alongside the historical fixtures.

The menu relies on local suppliers to maintain freshness. The cafe uses a Sumatran coffee blend roasted by Manchester Coffee. For the burger line, the owners partner with Legerski Meat, which grinds the meat on the day of service rather than using frozen stock. Sausages are sourced from Sackett’s Market, while Greybull Produce delivers lettuce and other vegetables from over the mountain. The meat typically sells out daily due to the fresh preparation method.

The cafe also offers Sheridan Beer, a product with a direct family connection to the owners. Mark Demple is a fourth-generation resident of Sheridan and a descendant of Peter Demple, who helped establish the local brewery in 1887. Peter Demple arrived in Sheridan after operating as a bootlegger in Topeka, Kansas. He was arrested three times in Topeka and fined $7,500, a sum he paid by removing the bills from a stack of cash. He transported $10,000 in gold to Sheridan via train and horse and wagon to fund the new brewery.

The brewery faced initial bureaucratic hurdles. A July 21, 1888, newspaper article reported that the brewery waited five weeks for official stamps from the revenue office. When the stamps finally arrived, they were returned due to a technical error in the bonds, leaving the town dry. The issue was eventually resolved, and the business expanded. By 1906, the brewery occupied a four-story building constructed from 300,000 homemade bricks. The structure stood 75 feet high and featured walls 21 inches thick. At peak production, the facility brewed 60,000 barrels of beer per year and was the largest employer in Wyoming.

Mark Demple’s children are currently assisting in the cafe operations. His son works in the kitchen, and his daughter manages the front of the house. The family hopes that one or both children will assume ownership upon the retirement of Mark and Janine. The current setup allows the fourth generation of the Demple family to maintain a presence in Sheridan’s commercial history.