Fremont's Famed Saddle Rack Music Club Closes Permanently

FREMONT, CA — The Saddle Rack, a nightclub in Fremont that entertained generations of country music fans over more than four decades and between two cities, is closing permanently due to safety concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, the club's management announced Friday.

"It is with overwhelming sadness that we must announce The Saddle Rack will not be reopening [its] doors," management wrote in a statement.

"8 weeks ago, The Saddle Rack suspended operations in an attempt to protect our guests and staff," they wrote. "Over the past 8 weeks, our management team has tried their best to evolve our business in a way that stays true to our almost 44 year heritage. We have been unable to come up with a viable solution to reopen The Saddle Rack while ensuring the safety of our family."

The Saddle Rack is just one of many businesses forced to close its doors due to the crisis. Across the Bay Area, business owners have despaired as they've failed to secure federal aid that could keep them afloat until shutdowns are lifted and customers can return.

The club began in San Jose in the early 1970s and reopened in Fremont in 2003, the Mercury News reported. It outlasted dozens of trends in popular music and survived after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, but could not survive the coronavirus crisis.

An important announcement from The Saddle Rack. pic.twitter.com/htrL1Zm1Qc
— The Saddle Rack (@TheSaddleRack) May 8, 2020