STERLING – One of the more unusual business expansions in the area is almost complete.

A 2-story dairy barn that cost $100,000 just to move to K’s Korners, 13030 Galt Road, will be ready for action this weekend.

Andy Younger bought the barn for a mere $1,000, but getting the historic structure from its Wahl Equestrian Center/Double G Arena site wasn’t easy. In addition to the costly moving expense, it took another $35,000 to run sewer under a state highway, and $20,000 to ComEd so utility lines could be moved.

The barn was moved May 7, 2014, and is now ready for Andy and his wife, Marion, to rent out for special events.

“All we have to do is put an exit light above the door and give the fire department a call,” Andy said Wednesday.

While the name might have started as a joke, the lower level of the barn is now officially called The Udder Room. The expansive upper level, complete with basketball hoop, is The Loft.

“We’re taking reservations for both areas now,” Marion said. “The spaces can be used for weddings, anniversaries, family reunions, baptisms, and birthday parties.”

The much smaller Udder Room has been drawing interest as a venue for seminars. K’s Korners will provide drinks and finger foods for events, but the Youngers have no desire to enter the catering business.

“We’re working with the Chamber to find caterers,” Andy said. “We’ll also work with local restaurants that are interested in providing the food.”

Although the loft is ready for bookings, it is a work in progress. The bar and restrooms are still being put in, and Andy plans to build a stage for disc jockeys and bands.

“Eventually, we’ll have a deck and patio off this back wall,” Andy said. “We have the high-tech elements too – Wi-Fi upstairs and downstairs, TouchTunes and digital jukeboxes.”

Even some of the remodeling pieces took an unconventional route to K’s. Marion is particularly proud of the ornate winding staircase that came to them via Galena.

“It was the staircase at the old jail, and when the jail closed, it was going to be used for condos,” Marion said. “Then a guy ended up buying the building for a bed and breakfast, and he didn’t think it would work for that.”

Because the owner was eager to get rid of it, the Youngers were able to get the staircase for $100.

Not much will change in the downstairs bar area, which dates back to the 1940s. The convenience store has been phased out, and there is what Marion calls “Vegas on the corner” with K’s’ five online gambling terminals.

Marion jokingly calls the barn a bit of an impulse buy, but she and Andy are confident it will pay off.

“Andy didn’t really think about it much, he just knew he didn’t want to see the barn destroyed,” Marion said. “He trusted that after he bought it, he’d figure out what to do with it.”

THE NEW K'S

Business: K's Korners bar and grill

Expansion: The Loft and The Udder Room

Address: 13030 Galt Road, Sterling

Reservations: Call the Youngers at 815-626-2988 or find K's Korners on Facebook for more information.