Longtime Old Strathcona nightspot unveils expanded club this weekend

After several decades off Whyte Avenue, Cook County Saloon is expanding. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach has the story.

A nightlife staple in Old Strathcona has expanded its footprint and will show off the changes for the first time this weekend.

The Cook County Saloon on Gateway Boulevard between 80 and 81 avenues has taken over the neighbouring building formerly occupied by Von’s Steakhouse, increasing its capacity by 400 to 1,500.

Those who enter Cook County will see resulting changes to the country music bar after the expansion to include the ex-Von’s space, which includes a retractable wall and a flex space that can be used for private events.

The space will function as a steakhouse on its own some days and will be part of a combined space with the nightclub side.

Von’s relocated downtown two years ago.

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Barry Sparrow, who founded the nightclub in 1981, said he’s always wanted to add the ex-Von’s building to Cook County.

“Now that we have it, it’s full circle,” Sparrow, who now runs Cook County with daughter Lindsay and son Casey, told CTV News Edmonton on Friday. “It balances the room out, gives us the capacity that we need.”

At a time when other local businesses have struggled to stay open, Casey Sparrow says the nightclub has been able to keep its doors open because of the roots they’ve built in the community.

“All of our employees are veterans in the industry. We provide a safe place for people to come, have fun and let loose for a little bit. That’s our biggest priority,” Casey said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach