After months of construction and anticipation, The Udder Place in downtown Turlock will be opening its doors to the “udder” side Friday, welcoming the community to sit down and enjoy a drink in the bar’s recently completed expansion.
“We always hoped that we could be expanding one day,” said co-owner Jerry Powell, who opened The Udder Place in January 2015 with business partner Shayne Heine. “The reception we got and the packed crowds have really accelerated the expansion. It was the loyal support of our fans and customers that made it possible.”
Powell and Heine announced the expansion of The Udder Place’s location at 110 W. Main St. into the vacant building next door at 108 W. Main St. in August of last year. After developing the location over the last six months, the new venue is ready to make its debut.
The new expansion features a dance floor, a stage with top-of-the-line mixers, soundboards, lighting and speakers, a second bar, a shot bar, a kitchen and outdoor patio. The rustic, western décor that made The Udder Place’s original venue Turlock-famous has carried over into the new expansion, with wagon wheels adorning the outdoor seating area and cow skins hung upon the walls.
“We want to build on what we started at this venue,” said Powell.
The new stage will feature both local talent and out-of-town acts, and Powell said that The Udder Place is currently working with the radio station Kat Country 103 to bring out-of-town performers into Turlock. The bar’s wildly popular Karaoke Night, held on Tuesdays, will also revolve around the new stage, with on-screen lyrics displayed on the venue’s new televisions as well as video of the performing karaoke singer.
“I don’t know of any other places in the Valley with this capacity or capability with a sound system to host acts like this,” said Powell.
In about 45 days, the bar’s new kitchen will be fired up for the first time, offering fare such as grilled hot dogs and other side dishes. A menu is still in the works, but Powell promised it will be worth the wait.
“It’s not a restaurant, but it’s going to be really good bar food,” he said.
The Udder Place will also soon be hosting dance classes, with two-step and swing lessons beginning in October. Line dancing nights will also begin that month, Powell added.
Local companies that took part in the expansion included PC Construction Group, Inc., Paul’s Paint and Glass, Crown Painting, Fletcher Doors, Precision Security Systems, Thomas Plumbing and Mann Electric. All wood used in the expansion came from Crossroads Lumber.
Those who are curious to check out the new expansion can do so Friday, as folk duo Cottonwood Creek will take the stage from 9 p.m. until midnight. A grand opening event will be held on Sept. 9.
“I’m nervous, because I want people to enjoy it and have fun,” said Powell.
