$1,500 Cash Reward: Help Find the Missing Hooters Horse

When word got out that the Hooters building in Amarillo was recently purchased, it got us talking about what we would love to see in that location. Since the owner is looking to have it leased, it could be anything.

We could see a local restaurant move in. It could be the new location of a chain restaurant we have been longing for here in Amarillo. Right now, the sky is the limit. The one thing we didn't expect was a dose of high-stakes drama.

When Hooters originally moved out last year, we thought the Center City Horse was safe. We were told that whoever bought the building would have access to the horse. When I asked the new owner, Brian Petty, about it, he told me that he does not have ownership of the horse.

The Sale and the Stallion: Why Brian Petty Bought the Building

He has no idea where it is. He wants it, though, for whoever leases it out from him. That horse is one of the reasons Brian even put in an offer on the building.

One of the guys told me he wanted to go steal the Hooters' horse. I had no clue Hooters went out of business. Drove over there that night, put in an offer the next day. All because of the horse. Lol. - Brian Petty

Conflicting Accounts: The Search for the Horse’s Last Known Location

Since Brian has no idea where the horse is, we reached out to the former owner, who told us it would go to the new owner. That owner, Brayden Engler, had originally told our staff it was safe.

I am the owner of the land and building, and as we both know, Hooters had closed its doors. But not to worry, we would love nothing more than to preserve the horse and update it to fit in with whoever comes to rent/purchase the property. From my understanding, it is a well-known and beloved item that locals know about. So, to ease the thoughts of it going away, it is there to stay. It may get put into storage to prevent theft. I did talk with Center City, and that was their greatest concern. - Brayden Engler

I have since reached back out to Brayden a couple of times with no response. According to the Potter-Randall Appraisal District's website (PRAD), the building seems to have changed hands shortly between Engler owning it and Petty taking possession.

Potter Randall Appraisal District

The $1,500 Bounty: Putting a Price on Amarillo History

All we do know is that the current owner, Brian Petty, who also owns The Bagel Place, wants that horse. He is putting his money where his mouth is and is offering a reward to get the rightful possession of the Hooters Horse.

We're going to put up a $1500 reward for the return of the Hooters' horse. We bought the horse, the building was supposed to come with it! We would love for you to put the reward out there. - Brian Petty

From Center City to Storage? The Mystery of the Hoof Prints Statue

I also decided to reach out to Center City's Beth Duke, just to make sure she didn't know the location of the horse:

When Hooters left, we called the property owner & suggested he move it to safekeeping. Once we install a Hoof Prints horse, it belongs to the buyer/property owner. I don't know what happened after we visited with the owner. - Beth Duke

The horse's current location remains a total mystery. The horse is wanted with the property, and there is a reward being offered. We would love to help Brian get the missing property, the Hooters horse, that should have been included in the sale.