'Before' photos of Farmers Union Pour House in Oldtown Salinas.

The evolution of Oldtown Salinas shows no signs of stopping. 

After the arrival of standout spots like Patria and Dubbers, the reinvention of landmark 201 Main and the opening of the gamechanger that is the Taylor Farms headquarters, there is more on tap.

Thirtysomething Oldtown residents Colin and Lauren Hattersley are well on their way to converting a forgotten space at 217 Main St. into a hip beer and wine venue called Farmers Union Pour House.

The name was inspired by the long-ago tenant—circa 1895—that the couple discovered by way of a photo from the Monterey County Historical Society. 

The spot could open as soon as next month, featuring a long bar, 24 craft beers and 16 different local-leaning wines set against a backdrop of flatscreen TVs and brick walls.

Lauren says the inspiration was an organic appreciation of tasting rooms they frequent from Paso Robles to Santa Cruz.

"We loved traveling around and trying different beers and wines and going to different areas," she says. "We wanted to bring that to Salinas."

No kitchen is included in the renovation plans, though the Pour House will serve charcuterie and cheese. The idea there is to help generate connectivity with neighboring places by encouraging patrons to bring in outside grub.

"We aren't the experts on food, but there are a lot of people in Oldtown who are," says Lauren, a marketing executive for Taylor Farms, who also happens to be their landlord. "We hope we're giving people another spot that will create more synergy and get more people moving around downtown."

The nearly 30-foot bar is already framed. Original hardwood floors are getting cleaned up. Paint is being splashed on the walls.

"We're just excited to get going," says Colin, who worked as a builder and produce shipping broker before resigning to focus on the Pour House. "There have been some hiccups. Now it feels like it's actually coming together."