Guy Fieri’s Famous “Alibi” Hits Market: $3M for a Flavor Town Legend
Laramie’s Famous Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery Is Up for Sale
What’s Happening?
A beloved Laramie restaurant that has been around since 1953 is officially on the market. Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery — made famous nationwide when Guy Fieri visited on Food Network’s "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" in 2022 — is listed for $2.985 million.
The sale isn’t just for the building. It includes the entire business, ready to run from day one. The listing went live recently, and the real estate agent says the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.
Location: 404 S. Fourth Street, downtown Laramie, Wyoming
Asking Price: $2.985 million
Agent: Niffy Bube, C21 Bell Real Estate
What’s Included in the Sale?
Buying the Alibi means getting a turnkey operation — everything you need to keep cooking right away. Here’s what comes with the price tag:
- The downtown property (building + land)
- A custom Stefano Ferrara wood-fired pizza oven imported from Italy
- A full commercial bakery (breads, pastries, and more)
- Complete commercial cooking line
- Draft beer system
- Modern point-of-sale (POS) equipment
- Parking for customers
- A valuable liquor license
- A catering trailer with a mobile wood-fired oven (used for weddings and events)
Important Point: This is not a distressed sale. The owners, Kerri and Ethan Smith, are retiring after building a highly successful business. As their friend and agent Niffy Bube says: "This is nowhere near a hardship thing — at all."
A Brief History of the Alibi
The Alibi has worn many hats over 70+ years. Here’s the timeline:
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Opens as Alibi Bar and Package Liquor — a classic neighborhood dive bar and liquor store |
| 1990 | Ethan Smith buys the business |
| ~2005 | Ethan and his wife Kerri decide to add wood-fired pizza and baked goods |
| 2014–2021 | Major remodel and expansion — added indoor kitchen, new ovens, lunch & dinner menus |
| April 2022 | Featured on Guy Fieri’s "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" (Triple D) |
| 2022 | Kerri competes on Guy’s Grocery Games (pizza episode) — finishes 3rd place |
| 2024 | Kerri shares their story with Cowboy State Daily |
| August 2026 | Business listed for sale |
From Dive Bar to Food Network Fame
The "Never Sits Still" Philosophy
Kerri Smith once told the Laramie Boomerang:
"The Alibi never sits still. We are always trying to find new offerings, new processes, and new ideas to make things better."
That mindset turned a simple bar into a culinary destination.
The Guy Fieri Effect
When Guy Fieri walked through the doors for DDD, he didn’t just like the food — he loved it. He famously praised:
- Their signature beef brisket pizza
- "Shut-the-front-door sandwiches" (his words!)
- Kerri’s skill and passion
He liked Kerri so much he invited her to compete on Guy’s Grocery Games. She held her own against pro chefs and took 3rd place — putting Laramie on the national food map again.
The Smiths’ Journey: From Trailer to Institution
It didn’t happen overnight. Here’s how they built it, step by step:
- Started small — bought a mobile wood-fired oven on a trailer, set it up in the backyard with fire pits and picnic tables
- Learned by doing — for 1.5 years, it was just Kerri and Ethan cooking lunch and dinner, rain, snow, wind, or shine
- Built a following — word spread, lines grew, they had to hire staff
- Bet on themselves — got a loan to remodel the building, moving the wood oven indoors and adding baking ovens for bread and pastries
- Kept the roots — they still have the original trailer oven and use it for catering (included in the sale!)
- Created something unique — as Kerri says: "What makes Alibi special is the combination of everything we offer: craft cocktails, wood-fired pizza, custom sandwiches, and a real bakery."
Community Reaction: "I Love That Place"
When locals heard the news, the response was emotional.
Joshua Woeber (Cheyenne resident, frequent customer):
"I was sad, then hopeful. I really like their wood-fired pizza — there’s just something about it. And their Reuben? That’s what I get if I’m not getting pizza. Whenever I’m in Laramie, the Alibi is where I stop. My daughter goes to school there, and it’s always a place we go together. I’m hoping somebody buys it and keeps it the way it is. I love that place."
Trey Sherwood (State Legislator & Laramie Main Street Alliance Director):
"Running a restaurant is a labor of love and margins are super tight."
She notes the Alibi is one of two iconic downtown restaurants currently for sale (the other is The Library at 201 E. Custer St.).
Niffy Bube (Agent & 40-year friend of the Smiths):
"It went live yesterday, and I knew there would be an emotional response. Back in the day, that was the favorite dive bar and liquor store. Now look at what they’ve turned it into. This isn’t just real estate for me — this is family and friendship and legacy."
KEY TAKEAWAYS: WHY THIS MATTERS
- 70+ year legacy in downtown Laramie
- National TV fame (DDD + Guy’s Grocery Games)
- Fully equipped, profitable business — not a fixer-upper
- Unique assets: Italian wood-fired oven, bakery, catering trailer, liquor license
- Owners retiring by choice — business is healthy
- Community wants it preserved — emotional attachment runs deep
- Rare opportunity to own a turnkey restaurant with built-in brand recognition
Summary
Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery — a Laramie landmark since 1953 — is for sale at $2.985 million. What started as a dive bar and liquor store became a Food Network-famous destination under owners Kerri and Ethan Smith, who spent 30+ years transforming it into a wood-fired pizza restaurant, full bakery, craft cocktail bar, and catering operation.
The sale includes everything: the building, Italian wood-fired oven, bakery equipment, catering trailer, liquor license, and a proven business model. The Smiths are retiring by choice, not necessity. The community hopes the next owner will keep the Alibi’s spirit alive — and with its national reputation and loyal following, the next chapter could be just as delicious.
FAQ
Why are the owners selling if the business is successful?
Kerri and Ethan Smith are ready to retire after decades of hard work. Their agent emphasizes this is not a financial hardship — they built a thriving business and are simply moving on to the next phase of life.
Does the buyer have to keep it as "The Alibi"?
No. The property and business are being sold together, but the buyer can rename or rebrand if they wish. However, the agent and community hope the legacy continues — the Alibi name carries serious value.
What makes the wood-fired oven so special?
It’s a Stefano Ferrara oven imported from Italy — the gold standard for Neapolitan-style pizza. These ovens reach 900°F+, cooking pizzas in 60–90 seconds with that signature leopard-spotted crust. It’s a major asset included in the sale.
Can the catering trailer really do events?
Yes! The mobile wood-fired oven on the trailer is fully operational and has been used for weddings, parties, and events. It’s a second revenue stream included in the purchase.
Is the liquor license transferable?
Yes. The sale includes the liquor license, which in Wyoming is a valuable and limited asset. Transferring it with the business saves the buyer significant time, cost, and uncertainty.