Couple want to spice up Redmond nightlife

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Justin Turpin had always had a dream of owning his own bar.

As of Dec. 2 he can say his dream has come true. Double J Saloon is located downtown at 528 SW Sixth St. in an old creamery building, with three main rooms — one for dancing, one for the bar, and one for pool.

Justin and his wife, Laura, began the process of becoming bar owners more than a year ago, when Justin and a lifelong friend, Jimmy, signed a lease for the building. Jimmy backed out before Double J — named for Justin and Jimmy’s friendship — opened because he didn’t have time to have a full-time career and be available for the bar.

The Turpins signed the lease in late 2014 and spent the next year renovating and licensing their bar, as well as working full-time jobs and taking care of two kids. Family and friends joined in the efforts; Laura played host to multiple painting parties at their location during renovations.

“When we first started, we we’re going month to month, barely making lease,” Justin said. “But people have started coming in and we’ve been able to make it. It’s a big relief because it was a struggle to get where we are.”

The Double J Saloon has a Western atmosphere hinted at with subtle interior decor, but Laura explained there isn’t a specific atmosphere the Turpins are working toward.

Entering the saloon from Sixth Street will place you at the bar, with hallways running to the dance floor and pool room, which is located in the old creamery’s cooler.

“It’s like a speakeasy,” Laura said. “When you walk in the front door, what you see is not what you get. There is so much more here than people think.”

The Turpins employ nine people and are looking to hire one or two more for weekend shifts. Double J Saloon offers a full menu, both lunch and dinner. The menu includes salad, appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, with customer favorites being homemade Blue Moon battered onion rings and fried mushrooms.

Multiple theme nights are on the Double J schedule, including ladies night on Tuesdays and line dancing on Thursday nights. The weekends are reserved for live music and dancing. Thomas T and The Blue Chips are the next band on Friday. Double J will also offer comedy shows; the next one is Feb. 25.

“We’re trying to bring the spice back to downtown Redmond,” Laura said. We’re aren’t trying to be a specific genre either; we aren’t country, we aren’t rock ’n’ roll, we’re everything.”

Laura is excited to add more flavor to the Redmond nightlife scene, which she said pales in comparison to Bend’s.

But the Turpins said the owners of nearly every bar in Redmond have come in to welcome them.

“It’s about making Redmond better,” Laura said. “It’s important for the Redmond community to be able to have a good time in Redmond.”

The Turpins also said that the location of Double J puts the bar inside the Downtown Urban Renewal District which makes it eligible for financial support for restoration of the facilities. The Downtown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee is looking into potential areas of renovation.

For now, the Turpins are settling into their work flow at Double J Saloon, relieved to be open and building a regular customer base.

“I have always liked the atmosphere of a bar,” Justin said. “You go to have fun. It has been a lot of work, but it’s also been a lot of fun.”

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com