Forward Casper Member Spotlight: Pete Maxwell

Pete Maxwell grew up loving downtown and saw it dying. He saw his generation hurting the downtown area more with buying online and going to chain restaurants. With the downturn in the energy economy, he saw an opportunity to get into something new, something he’s passionate about – making downtown great again. 

And Pete is busy as a partner or owner in several businesses: 

• President, Maxwell Properties owns the Atrium Plaza with 14 commercial tenants and The American Nuclear Building that will house the Gas Light Social with its four apartments and three commercial tenants.
• CEO, Gas Light Social, a bar and grill at 314 W. Midwest Ave.;
• Vice-President, 1890 Screen & Stitch produces embroidery and silk screening along with a Wyoming-based apparel line;
• President, ICO Inspection and Threading Services, services and repairs oilfield casing and tubing;
• Vice-President, Medallion Inc., sells new and used oilfield casing and tubing.

He wants to encourage young people in his generation to get out of their houses and come downtown to shop and eat.

Speaking about his newest project, the Gas Light Social, he said he would never have worked to open a bar & grill without the partnership of Richie Braton and Matt and Mark Galloway. His expertise isn’t in running a bar & grill. 

“You have to align yourself with good people and just help each other.” He said.

And in the spirit of working together, Pete said he and his partners have talked with other bar owners in the downtown area. They are working to develop a different atmosphere than the other bars and restaurants. 

“We don’t want to step on each other's toes,” Pete emphasized. 

The idea is that people can come downtown and park in one area or in a “hub” and then visit multiple bars or establishments in an evening. It’s something that Casper hasn’t had in a long time.

Pete joined CAEDA as a way to get a message out to younger people to get involved. He saw this as an opportunity, like his projects in the Old Yellowstone District, to bring a younger perspective and new ideas to a group that could help influence the direction of Casper.