Words & Deeds

It was Shorty’s for decades. Here’s what’s next in this landmark Garden City bar

A Garden City bar with extensive music-venue history is on track to be reborn as an event center hosting everything from private shindigs to cooking classes.

3 Girls Catering plans to move into the former Heritage Social Club, 5467 N. Glenwood St., which closed Sunday. Known to old-school Boise bargoers as Shorty’s Country & Western Saloon, the space had undergone multiple rebrands in the past roughly 20 years.

The owners of 3 Girls, 3210 E. Chinden Blvd. in Eagle, have purchased the liquor license and leased the space, co-owner Gretchen Talbert said.

“So excited about this incredible opportunity and the future of 3 Girls Catering — it’s been a long time coming!” she said in a message.

“We hope to book tons of private events, but we plan to host some live music, pop-ups (wine dinners, brunches, etc.), community events (Chamber of Commerce, meet Santa, etc.) and host cooking classes, too. The liquor license will be used on premises and for our mobile bar!”

The name of 3 Girls Catering’s event venue is still being decided. After the Heritage owners have moved out, renovations and improvements will begin.

“We plan to be booking events no later than Nov. 1,” Talbert said, “but we’re holding off on planning a grand opening until we have a more accurate timeline on completion! The sooner the better, of course.”

Local and touring concerts were a focus at now-defunct Heritage Social Club.
Local and touring concerts were a focus at now-defunct Heritage Social Club. @heritagesocialclub/Instagram

This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM.

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Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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