It seems like Paul’s Place Restaurant has occupied the corner of G Street and Alexander forever. It has been there for about 30 years.
The owners plan to move the restaurant in late August to a new location in the Yosemite Crossing shopping center, directly across from Raley’s Market.
Ron and Lorelei Stapp, the owners, said the timing was right for the move to a brand new building, and they are even going to change the name. There will be many upgrades; however, the menu will not change. “Some new dishes will be added,” said Ron Stapp.
One of the additions at the new location will be an outdoor patio where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. The restaurant will also feature an upscale selection of fine wine and craft beer.
Stapp said he was optimistic about the change in location, drawing customers from Merced College, Mercy Hospital and UC Merced. It is also on a main road to Yosemite so he anticipates out of town business.
The 3,450 square foot building is being built by Richard Rasmusson, local contractor under the name RTR Construction. The sign on the front is the work of the Sign Guys of Atwater. It is all part of keeping business local, whenever possible.
The chef is Walter Rodriguez, who has worked for Paul’s for the past seven years. Suzanne Perry is the general manager, and she has been working at Paul’s for 9 years.
The Stapps have been long time friends of the former owners of Paul’s — Paul and Teresa Ybarra — who have been honored for their years of serving the local community with their restaurant. Paul’s has been the home of the Sunrise Rotary as well as the meeting place for many other groups.
The restaurant is open seven days a week. It will now have an increased capacity of about 25 to 30 more people.
Stapp is optimistic about the success of the new venture, and said there are plans for the construction of an apartment complex which will house 1,000 families right next to the Yosemite Crossing shopping center, and when completed this will add to the restaurant’s new clientele.