Through this weekend, Common Fields is doing what many other start-up restaurants hope for – celebrating a successful first year in business. With four food trucks – two of which are custom-built tiny houses, live bands, the local roller derby league Sick Town Derby Dames, and other local vendors – plus independent Oregon craft beers, wines and ciders – this is the place to be.
The Vision
Jacob Oliver started dreaming of owning his own restaurant during the years of working at all levels in the food industry. Over nine years ago he started at the farmer’s market with a specially concocted hummus. Over time, he observed that Corvallis didn’t have healthy Middle Eastern foods. Since food trucks offer easier entry to a restaurant business, Oliver considered a used cart until he discovered a tiny house builder in Albany who would create his mobile eatery. Once built, Kalamata became a recognizable place for good food at Corvallis events.
Wanting a place to park their food truck full time, Oliver and his wife explored the small zone designated by City Hall for opportunities. The former auto transmission repair station at Western and 3rd sparked their imagination. As parents, they envisioned a mix between an adult bar and a playground in the garage bays, and in the parking lot – Corvallis’ first food truck pod. Oliver started renovations in early 2020, and by that summer was able to park Kalamata in the lot. Making sure his concepts worked, and challenged with the restrictions from the ongoing pandemic, Oliver had soft openings that summer, with his official grand opening the following January.
The Mission
With his mission to deliver uncommon – yet quality – offerings, Oliver was selective in his choices. Kalamata was soon joined by Terra’s Tastee Treats and Ojisan Ramen. Oliver’s friend, Diego Irwin, also had a tiny house food truck built, and in February 2021 ZIA Burritos was parked next to Kalamata. Inside the former garage bays are handcrafted tables, a little room created from an old barrel, games to rent, a full selection of artisanal hot sauces for sale, and most recently an expanded array of branded merchandise – including dog toys. Oliver is proud of the new Magnet Wall, a GoFundMe project two years in the making, featuring unique marble mazes adults and older kids can create.
Oliver hired a stage manager to find and curate entertainment on a regular basis. The bands are usually well-established, and play music at a volume that doesn’t overwhelm diners’ conversations. Comics are featured every first Friday, and drag shows every other month. Artisan and Maker Markets pop up and feature local vendors. Common Fields also co-hosts with 500 Women Scientists and the Tap Talks Corvallis.
Oliver has committed to supporting local causes. When he first only had the Kalamata food truck, he would rotate charities, including the Jackson Street Youth Services. In 2021, through various efforts – including Common Fields’ “Dine Out” and “Hops for Hope” campaigns – they raised $5,735 for not only Jackson Street, but also for the Heartland Humane Society of Corvallis, Senior Dog Rescue of Oregon, Letitia Carson Elementary School, Heart of the Valley Runners, Corvallis Montessori School, and MGY. Coordinated with the Downtown Corvallis Association, the Common Fields building’s backside also sports the “Greetings From Corvallis” mural.
Opening during the pandemic, changing plans and physical layouts to accommodate health requirements, plus creating community and supporting the community is a worthy achievement to celebrate. Oliver, who received a place on The Advocate’s list of Corvallis’ Most Impactful for 2020, has more plans for the future, including another tiny house food truck that will feature German cuisine.
The anniversary party will continue to run during regular business hours and end on Sunday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m.
By Stacey Newman Weldon
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