Mac's Old House, the century‑old Antioch restaurant and neon‑glow neighborhood bar, has officially changed hands and is now on track to reopen next June under new ownership. Buyers Joe Martinez and Ron Harrison say the goal is simple: overhaul the bones of the building while keeping the soul of the place intact, from the prime rib to the bread and soup ritual regulars swear by.
The pair has already kicked off a major renovation, describing it as a full interior gut that will bring new bathrooms, expanded dining space and parking, a new kitchen and modern code upgrades. After the closure last June left a noticeable hole in Antioch's dining lineup, the plan is to bring back the familiar Mac's experience, only with fewer leaks and more parking.
New Owners Promise Continuity
According to The Antioch Herald, a post on the Mac's Old House Facebook page announced the sale to Martinez and Harrison and set a target of a June 2026 reopening. The post promised to keep "the original menu…same feel, same ambiance," a clear signal to loyalists who have been worried the reboot might turn into something unrecognizable.
The The Antioch Herald also reports that former head chef Rick Cook plans to support the transition and pass along Mac's classic recipes, while several past employees have already told the new team they want back in once the doors reopen. Martinez told the paper he expects to start with a soft opening so staff can train and the kitchen and service can be tuned before going full throttle.
Renovations, Timeline And History
Martinez has described the project as a heavy lift. The owners plan to bring the aging building up to 2025 code, gut much of the interior and layer in some modern conveniences, including a DoorDash pickup lane and finally accepting credit cards. The goal is to reopen roughly one year after Mac's closed on June 22.
ContraCosta News reports the team is eyeing June 23, 2026, as the specific opening date, assuming permits and construction cooperate.
The building itself carries decades of local history. It was converted from a house into a bar on St. Patrick's Day in 1956 and has been operated by Gary Noe since 1983. The long run and the decision to close last June were chronicled when Mac's announced it would shut down earlier this year, including coverage of its plan to close after 42 years.
What This Could Mean For Rivertown
Martinez already has a reputation for scooping up and rehabbing downtown Rivertown properties, and he told The Antioch Herald he had been "eyeballing" Mac's for some time. His hope is that a refreshed but familiar Mac's Old House will help pull more people back into downtown Antioch.
The new owners say they intend to keep prices reasonable while modernizing behind the scenes to make the business sustainable for another generation. Whether the June 2026 target date sticks will depend on permits and construction, but longtime customers are already dropping by the site to trade stories, offer encouragement and, presumably, lobby for their favorite cuts of prime rib to stay put on the menu.
