Four years after first applying to take over and develop the building at 309 N. Center St. in Turlock – the former home of Jura’s Pizza Parlor – Jose Pulido of Sonora is once again looking to make his vision of a two-story, Mexican restaurant a reality.
On May 2, Pulido submitted a similar application to the City of Turlock Planning Commission to construct a new building for Nivel Restaurant and Lounge after the original building fell victim to multiple fires in 2022. The last occupant of the building was Jura’s in 2018. Prior to that, the 100-year-old building housed Mexican restaurants El Antojito and Cancun’s Bar and Grill. The brick structure was built in 1922 and was the first headquarters for the Salvation Army’s Turlock Corps before being sold to the America Legion Post 88.
Fast forward to 2023, the latest application details a transformation for the 11,331 square foot lot featuring a paved parking lot and fresh landscape. Of that space, the proposed building would cover nearly 6,000 square feet and would be within the city height limits of 40 feet.
The kitchen, restaurant seating, bar, restrooms, storage area, outdoor patio, lounge area and children’s play area would be located on the first floor. Additional restaurant and lounge seating, outdoor patio area, bar area, office space and restrooms are proposed on the second floor. An elevator and stairs will be constructed providing access for the first and second floors.
As for the business itself, Nivel Restaurant and Lounge is the same name and concept that Pulido originally visualized for the vacant lot when he first submitted an application in 2019.
“We want to give it a Mexico City vibe and make it a little more lively,” he said in December of that year.
Pulido hopes to draw customers and achieve this “Mexico City vibe” by way of live entertainment, such as mariachi bands.
Pulido and his family are no strangers to the restaurant business. He and his wife, Maria, own and operate Morellia Mexican Restaurant in Jamestown and previously owned Cazadora Restaurante in their hometown of Sonora. He explained in 2019 that he wants to bring a restaurant to Turlock because he has family in the area.
“I wanted to move out here because it’s the same kind of small, tight-knit community,” he said.
Pulido could not be reached for comment regarding his latest application.
The application is currently under review from city staff. A public hearing date is scheduled for the July 6 Planning Commission meeting at City Hall.
