FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 A 100-year-old Fresno house got a new life as bar, Moses McQueen\u2019s, opened its doors, quickly drawing a packed crowd of neighbors eager to check out the new spot on Saturday, April 4.<\/p>\n
Customers lined up outside before opening, including Oscar Moreno, who said, <\/p>\n
\u201cIt’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,”<\/p>\n
The bar operates throughout the property, using the downstairs, upstairs and backyard.<\/p>\n
Diego Arambula, one of five co-owners, said the goal was to create a welcoming, community-centered experience. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo 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,\u201d Arambula said.<\/p>\n
Arambula said the owners first toured the house eight years ago and saw potential in the property despite its age.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen 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,\u201d<\/p>\n
Customers said they appreciated the effort to preserve the home rather than replace it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m embracing restoring and not so much tearing down. It\u2019s just restoring and keeping the historical aspect of the city and county that we love,\u201d Peter Robertson, a customer who has lived in Fresno for 42 years, said.<\/p>\n
Amanda Wheeler called the bar a unique addition for Fresno. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very different, it\u2019s a nice kind of place. We didn’t have anything like this before, it\u2019s really nice,\u201d Wheeler said. \u201cThe drinks are great (and) good menu.\u201d<\/p>\n
With drinks, food and music, the opening-night atmosphere was fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love it. Great band, great crowd, great weather,” Robertson said. “I could get used to this.”<\/p>\n
The co-owners added the house to the local historical registry after buying it to help ensure it remains preserved.<\/p>\n