The town of Irvine started as a train stop for the Santa Fe Railroad in 1889, where barley warehouse was built.

The 125,000-acre Irvine Ranch was the largest employer in the town for years, a very busy place during harvest time.

The town had a school, general store, blacksmith shop, diner, and a hotel for seasonal workers, all around Central Avenue and the train station.

The J. Ray Construction Company converted the blacksmith shop into a restaurant (retaining much of its historic tools and machines as decor), the sorting house as retail space, and the granary into a hotel.

Buildings originally located nearby were moved to the site, including the historic Irvine General Store.