Oh sorry...I saw your “spit” comment and interpenetrated to be a negative comment on the owner...
The explanation circulated in the media at the time was that the landlord would not renew the lease. Certainly his right, but the timing and circumstances indicated something else. So I wouldn’t question his rights. It seems as if there was a ‘reason’ or intent that was other than a business decision.
I have been to the shooters grill only twice driving past Rifle between Denver and Utah. I never met Lauren, but I have a picture with her mom, and the staff that were there mid afternoon, all of us sporting our sidearms. They were a very nice group of people. Sadly, even before the closure, they were getting lots of threat calls, and hate mail.
The landlord may have been also gotten strong armed for all I know.