A Chance to Shine
By Nancy Thompson
Published May, 2007
The SLO County Passport, page 55
Doc's Karaoke Bar & Grill
is part of the historic downtown Creamery, the first rehabilitation
project in the city. Located at one time on the edge of
town, the Creamery was a familiar site to passersby. When everything
else was closed in SLO the Creamery lights were always on to accommodate
the double shift. The actual milk-can lights still glow today. The original
Central Creamery building was recycled around 1906 from a machine shop
and has been known over the years as the California Central Creamery,
the Golden State Creamery and more.
In 1929, the building where Doc's now resides was erected. Constructed using historically significant "California" bricks at a cost of $3,500, it was initially a commercial garage and later turned into a soda bottling plant. It was then utilized by the Golden State Creamery to store supplies and handle "casein" - a by-product of dairy operations. In the mid- 1 1970s it was extensively remodeled and in June 1974 it opened as the Much Gusto restaurant until September 1974 when it changed hands becoming Tortilla Flats until October 2006.
Local entrepreneur and CEO Raul Torres purchased the business. He partnered with Doc and Nancy Thompson, owners of California Karaoke.
The Thompson's opened the first commercial karaoke show in SLO in 1990 and they have operated successful karaoke shows on the Central Coast ever since. After the latest purchase, the doors remained closed for several months. Raul sparing no expense and with help from family, the Thompson's and their karaoke friends completely upgraded the buildings interior, including the kitchen, and gave it a whole new personality. In January 2007 it was finally ready for business. Raul's financing and business experience combined with the Thompson's management and karaoke magic have created the first and only full-time karaoke club between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
From 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 am. seven days a week, Doc's boasts an engineered state-of-the-art sound system that is a one-of-a-kind experience to sing to or to sit back and just listen. Located across the street from the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, Doc's welcomes families to enjoy the experience, admitting minors until 9:00 p.m. Additionally, with one of the few large dance floors in the city, overhead lighting display, unique surroundings, split floor levels, full bar, availability for special events and private parties and an energetic staff waiting to serve, you will want to return again and again to enjoy being part of the ever-changing nightly experience of dining and singing at Doc's Karaoke Bar & Grill.
© 2007 The San Luis Obispo County Passport
© 2007 Nancy Thompson
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