RTS shut doors. Is it temporary?

The Rolling Thunder Saloon closed its doors last week, due to the pressures of a poor economy, said proprietors Nate Lathrop and Elisabeth Springer. The business has given up its liquor license, but it is nevertheless not for sale. The owners plan to keep the building, and, if things should improve economically over the next couple of years, there is a chance that the Saloon could re-open.

Lathrop told The Record that he could no longer justify putting his own money into the business just to keep it afloat. He and Springer have other sources of income which will allow them to retain the building and allow its use for special events and rentals for private parties and the like.

In fact, the building will be open on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., as a place where travelers (motorcycle riders in particular) can stop and rest their legs for a time. There will be no sales of food or drink. It will simply be a place to sit in the shade, relax and engage in conversation. Locals are, of course, more than welcome to come down and join whoever happens to be there on the weekends, Lathrop said.

So that the facility may remain useful to the community of Odessa, Lathrop said special events may also take place from time to time, such as musical groups coming in for an afternoon or evening, but, Lathrop emphasized again that no food or drink will be for sale.

During the Deutschesfest in September, the facility will also be open for patrons to sit down and eat food they have purchased elsewhere. There will likely also be live music in the Saloon during Fest to provide additional seating and entertainment options for visitors.

Lathrop is hoping that the economy will turn around and allow the Rolling Thunder Saloon to re-open. He and Springer plan to remain in Odessa, where he may pursue other business ventures, and she will continue to work as a nurse at Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center.