BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The U.S. economy is supposed to be struggling, but don’t tell the people that run Sonder. They’re expanding with not one more, but two more locations in the next year and a half.
The popular restaurant with the casual L.A. vibe at Calloway and Brimhall is on demand – not just from customers, but from developers who want the Sonder brand on their buildings. A portion of an empty lot in southwest Bakersfield will be the next location for Sonder in about a year. Bolthouse Properties is behind the upscale retail center at White Lane and Buena Vista Road.
Sonder owners Ryan and Desi Meloche are excited about the possibilities.
“They came to us and said, ‘Hey, we want you guys,’” Ryan Meloche said. “And it’s because of the name that we have in the community. They felt it was a good fit for their property.”
Desi Meloche said they’re still working out many of the menu and interior design details of the Belcourt restaurant.
“Designwise, lookwise, it’s going to be a whole lot different, a little bit smaller,” she said. “Food is gonna be somewhat the same, we just want it to be a fun, brunch atmosphere. A good steakhouse. So, just new and improved.”
Farm workers hit by smaller paychecks because of the heat wave Bruce Davis of Bolthouse Properties said Sonders’ Belcourt restaurant could even be ready much sooner than a year. A few months later, Sonder number three will land at the old Brass Rail on 19th Street, near O. Andrea Hunt is part of the ownership team.
“Every city needs a good downtown,” she said, “being able to play a part in rehabbing our downtown was something that was appealing to us and being able to bring some more life down there.”
The Sonder team is working on the project with property owner Tomas delToro Diaz, who envisions a retail and entertainment mini-village built from storage containers.
Hunt says the Sonder in Eastchester will be convenient for a lot of potential clients.
“I have some friends that live over on the east side or the Rio Bravo area that like the idea of having somewhere to go that’s closer and not all of the way on the west side of town,” she said.
Can’t wait? Sorry, but you’ll have to satisfy your urge for Sonder’s unique fare and popular specialty cocktails at the original location on Brimhall for a while longer.
An eight year restaurant success story prepares to move on to the next step, which is three Sonders in Bakersfield.
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