FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A 100-year-old Fresno house got a new life as bar, Moses McQueen’s, opened its doors, quickly drawing a packed crowd of neighbors eager to check out the new spot on Saturday, April 4.

Customers lined up outside before opening, including Oscar Moreno, who said,

“It’s new, it’s Fresno.” Oscar Moreno, the first customer in line, said. “They’re all locals as well, so let’s support our people,”

The bar operates throughout the property, using the downstairs, upstairs and backyard.

Diego Arambula, one of five co-owners, said the goal was to create a welcoming, community-centered experience.

“So much of this is trying to capture that idea of what is it like to be in a house party with some of your closest friends and folks in your community,” Arambula said.

Arambula said the owners first toured the house eight years ago and saw potential in the property despite its age.

“When we first walked this house eight years ago now, it looked every bit like a 110 year old house,” Arambula said. “But this backyard and giant tree with the sun facing away, we knew there could be something really special here,”

Customers said they appreciated the effort to preserve the home rather than replace it.

“I’m embracing restoring and not so much tearing down. It’s just restoring and keeping the historical aspect of the city and county that we love,” Peter Robertson, a customer who has lived in Fresno for 42 years, said.

Amanda Wheeler called the bar a unique addition for Fresno.

“It’s very different, it’s a nice kind of place. We didn’t have anything like this before, it’s really nice,” Wheeler said. “The drinks are great (and) good menu.”

With drinks, food and music, the opening-night atmosphere was fun.

“I love it. Great band, great crowd, great weather,” Robertson said. “I could get used to this.”

The co-owners added the house to the local historical registry after buying it to help ensure it remains preserved.

According the bar’s website, the house originally belonged to an Armenian immigrant from Turkey who arrived in the United States in 1898 and eventually settled in Fresno with his wife and three children.