BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) –  It’s probably possible to create a restaurant out of just about any kind of building, but to create one of an old bank – well, that creates a number of unique challenges. For starters, what do you do with the massive steel vault in the corner of what was originally the Ming Avenue branch of Great Western Savings, then Washington Mutual, then Chase. Business partners Harold Raymond, who also owns Woodstone Pizza, and Ryan Stuteville, former longtime manager of Chuy’s, gutted the building down to its thick concrete walls. but the feature that ultimately gave the restaurant its identity was originally something of an albatross. A very heavy, expensive albatross. “They originally wanted $160,000 to take the vault out,” Raymond said. “I said, ‘Well, whatever we’re going to make (out of this building), we’re going to make with the vault in it.’” But what good is a bank vault with steel, 18-inch thick walls to an Italian restaurant? “We did some homework (and) found out, well, (we should) turn it into a walk-in cooler,” Raymond said. “We divided it off into 330 square foot and 140 square foot (sections). So, the 140 is 33 degrees, which is where 21 beer kegs are at. The other side is 41 degrees, which is where all the food is kept. And it just works out perfect." The vault door weighs 6,000 pounds. Wait staff can’t negotiate that kind of obstacle every time they’re low on salad dressing. The owners had to cut two holes in the vault – one a back entrance for easier access, the other in front to make room for 21 beer taps. The job required the skills of a work crew laboring for four and a half days with special saws. Immigration enforcement operations taking place in Bakersfield area, local officials say One of those 21 beer taps plays a special role in the restaurant's mission to serve the community. “Tap handle number 11 is (for) the Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation,” Raymond said. “That tap there, the money generated from that tap goes to the foundation. Top secret beer, can’t divulge what it is, but it tastes good and it’s cold.” Draft beer aside, the theme here is financial, starting with the 114 year old Macy's-Gimbels cash register. Yes, it technically works, but it’s just a showpiece now. “So we wanted to kind of keep the era of the old time bank,” Stuteville said. “If you kinda look around, there’s little banker’s lamps, bulletproof glass, kinda the fun little details of that.” Yes, bulletproof glass, and many of the security cameras that the bank managers monitored back in the day. Don’t try to cheat at poker here. The official grand opening is coming later this month, but in the meantime, the owners say, feel free to stop by and make a withdrawal.