Cattlemen's Cafe Under New Ownership, Serving Favorites

Fairview native Tess Hurley takes over Sidney, Montana cafe with plans to continue tradition

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:00am

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Cattlemen's Cafe in Sidney, Montana has new ownership as of February 22nd. Fairview native Tess Hurley has taken over the cafe, which was previously owned by Ira and Amy Lake. Hurley plans to continue offering the home-cooked favorites that customers have enjoyed, while gradually putting her own personal touch on the business. The cafe has resumed its regular hours of Tuesday through Sunday, 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why it matters

In a small town like Sidney, a local cafe can become an integral part of the community's daily routine. The transition to new ownership at Cattlemen's Cafe is significant, as it marks the continuation of a popular dining establishment that has built a strong following since first opening in 2024.

The details

Ira and Amy Lake opened Cattlemen's Cafe in August 2024, located within the Sidney Livestock Market Center. The cafe briefly closed for the transition to new ownership, but reopened on February 24th with minimal interruption. Tess Hurley, who has over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, plans to be hands-on at the cafe, working alongside the existing team to maintain the cafe's momentum and continue providing a solid customer experience.

  • Cattlemen's Cafe originally opened on August 27, 2024.
  • The cafe briefly closed for the ownership transition, then reopened on February 24, 2026.
  • Tess Hurley took over ownership of Cattlemen's Cafe on February 22, 2026.

The players

Tess Hurley

A Fairview native and local resident who has taken over ownership of Cattlemen's Cafe in Sidney, Montana. Hurley has over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry and plans to continue offering the cafe's home-cooked favorites while gradually putting her own personal touch on the business.

Ira and Amy Lake

The previous owners of Cattlemen's Cafe, who opened the restaurant in August 2024 within the Sidney Livestock Market Center.

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What they’re saying

“In a town like Sidney, a cafe becomes part of people's routine. The goal is to continue offering the home-cooked favorites people enjoy while gradually bringing in a personal touch. Nothing drastic, just doing the basics well and doing them consistently.”

— Tess Hurley, New Owner, Cattlemen's Cafe

“Amy and Ira did an incredible job launching Cattlemen's in this space. They built a strong start, and that deserves recognition. Moving forward, the focus is on continuing that momentum and strengthening the team so guests continue to have a solid experience. If something is working, there's no reason to change it.”

— Tess Hurley, New Owner, Cattlemen's Cafe

“It's not always glamorous, but it's meaningful. I knew pretty quickly that I wanted to do it. I just needed to make sure it was actually doable and made sense before committing. Once I confirmed that, I was all in.”

— Tess Hurley, New Owner, Cattlemen's Cafe

What’s next

Tess Hurley plans to be hands-on at Cattlemen's Cafe, working alongside the existing team to maintain the cafe's momentum and continue providing a solid customer experience. She will balance her time at the cafe with her role as a consumer loan officer at Richland Federal Credit Union.

The takeaway

The transition of ownership at Cattlemen's Cafe represents the continuation of a beloved community institution in Sidney, Montana. Under new leadership, the cafe aims to build upon its strong foundation while gradually introducing Tess Hurley's personal touch, demonstrating how a local business can evolve while preserving its core identity and appeal.