The Modesto-area businesses, restaurants we said goodbye and hello to in 2021
While 2021 may not be a year many look back on with unreserved fondness, the second year of the pandemic saw some notable successes amid the now-routine struggles of the COVID-19 era business landscape.
More than 30 new restaurants and food establishments opened in the region in 2021, offering everything from vegan to Middle Eastern food, Southern home cooking, steakhouse fare and more.
Still, after enduring another long pandemic year, the region also saw some notable closures, from major corporations shutting down to locally owned businesses calling it quits.
As Central Valley businesses prepare to enter the third year of the COVID pandemic, the toll it has taken is real and tragic. But the resilience of the region’s small business owners continues to inspire.
So first, a look at some of this year’s prominent closures. The silver lining for some of these places is that new businesses already have sprung up or announced plans to open in their locations.
In downtown Modesto, the Barkin’ Dog Grill closed after being a hub for music and arts (and, of course, good food) for 17 years. One block over, Monsoon Indian Restaurant closed as well, removing my favorite lunch buffet in town.
Another longtime Modesto favorite, Shangri-La China Bistro, closed at the start of the year. The pandemic grind coupled with health issues forced owner Michelle Ho to say goodbye to her restaurant of 12 years.
Two high-profile chain restaurants also bid the region farewell in 2021. The HomeTown Buffet in Turlock made it official and closed permanently. But plans already are underway to transform the space into Turlock’s first Texas Roadhouse restaurant.
In north Modesto, Tahoe Joe’s also made it official and closed permanently after what had been deemed a “temporary” shutdown earlier in the pandemic. But the rustic steakhouse space has since reopened as Bag O’ Crab, part of a chain of seafood boil restaurants, which has been in a soft opening for several weeks now.
At Modesto’s Vintage Faire Mall, some notable brands shut their doors. Apparel sellers Abercrombie & Fitch, designer handbag maker Coach, GameStop and the Disney store all left the mall this year.
The year also saw the discount shoe seller MJM Shoes leave its McHenry Avenue location next to Burlington Coat Factory. But the space didn’t stay empty for long as Modesto-based Flooring Liquidators has expanded and moved into the location.
And, finally, after a short pandemic rebirth, the Ceres Drive-In has once again closed for what seems like for good. In the early days of the pandemic, pop-up drive ins opened around the region. But the fad faded as the pandemic wore on and the historic drive-in is now gone.
Now, the good news. Along with some sad farewells, 2021 had some wonderful hellos. While the pandemic may have delayed some of their openings, these businesses pushed through and invited the public through their doors.
The biggest, both figuratively and literally, opening of the year came with the late June debut of Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca. The massive hotel, water park and entertainment center that looms large off Highway 120 delayed its opening by a full year because of the pandemic. On its opening day, the 500-room hotel and 95,000-square-foot indoor water park earned rave reviews by guests ready for some family fun.
Another addition to the region’s family-friendly activities is Ripon’s Alpine Climbing Adventure Fitness. The climbing facility and health club offers lessons for newbies and Olympic-size climbing walls for the pros. Heck, I even made it up a wall. So, clearly, anyone can learn.
Another long-in-the-making opening came with the November debut of the Ceres Walmart Supercenter. Plans for the 187,000-square-foot store were introduced 14 years ago. But after a years-long legal battle, the corporation prevailed and the store opened in time for Christmas shopping this year.
Some well-established restaurants in the region also expanded to additional locations this year. Modesto’s Commonwealth gastropub and upscale Redwood Cafe both opened secondary locations in other Stanislaus County cities — Turlock and Oakdale, respectively.
And downtown Modesto’s Rancho Fresco Mexican Grill became the new Rancho Fresco Entertainment Complex, with the restaurant expanding into the former Monsoon restaurant and banquet space to create an attached restaurant, diner and nightclub complete with mechanical bull.
And, finally, the valley has gone Dutch during the pandemic. The popular West Coast chain Dutch Bros Coffee doubled its footprint in the area in 2021. Since opening its first Stanislaus County location in Oakdale in 2019, the Oregon-based company has opened two locations in Modesto (on McHenry Avenue and Carpenter Road), two in Turlock (on Monte Vista Avenue and Golden State Boulevard) and a new spot in Ripon (on Colony Road).
The chain opened second locations in Modesto and Turlock, as well as the Ripon spot, in the past year. So if nothing else, we will all be entering 2022 fully caffeinated.
