END OF THE TRAIL; Mount Ayr welcomes Trails End Saloon
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Offering professional painting services by day, and an opportunity to unwind at night, Brett Taylor and RaeLynne Howell are partnering to bring new life to old spaces.
Taylor and Howell launched “Rockin R Painting,” roughly three years ago, after seeing a sign posted on the wall of the local hardware store, advertising a used paint sprayer and other equipment. Their first big job involved repainting “The Lobby” in Creston, including the upstairs apartments. From there, several before and after photos posted to facebook landed them more jobs than they were prepared for, so they stopped promoting, and began painting.
Brett Taylor and RaeLynne Howell stand at the front counter of the Trails End Saloon in Mount Ayr.
While they plan to continue painting, the pair are also breathing new life into a fun space previously known by many as Good Vibes, The Crazy Heifer, The Early Bird, or The Office. Trails End Saloon casually opened on Friday, October 20 after a successful inspection. The western themed bar, located on Taylor Street next to “That’s What She Read” book store, served up creative drinks to patrons, while lively music played from a “jukebox” on opening night. Domingo, Taylor’s registered Texas Longhorn Steer, now greets patrons at the entrance of the Saloon. Domingo’s legacy lives on, as his full-blooded sister is currently growing into her own strength on Taylor’s farm, south of Mount Ayr.
Food will likely come later on, but for now, Taylor and Howell are focused on operating as a full-service bar. Howell brings over 5 years of experience managing the Sports Page in Winterset, and a few years serving patrons of the Sun Valley Clubhouse bar and grille, to Trails End Saloon.
Taylor and Howell plan to expand the business to bring a unique form of entertainment to Mount Ayr next spring. Their long-term vision is to pair Trails End Saloon with carriage rides, pulled by their Clydesdale horse.
They offered carriage rides earlier this year, establishing a route that traveled around the square and up to Shellway Drive through the historic neighborhood lined with mature trees. Taylor is considering a short historical tour of town, complete with a pamphlet showcasing the history of the area and its residents.
The 6-passenger carriage will also be available for weddings, birthdays, parades, and other special occasions next year.
