Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Oliver.
Hi Jacob, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We started as a small Mediterranean food truck going form beer event to beer event on the weekends while during the week I worked at a local brewery as a distribution manager. Our goa was to look for a location we could permanent Park our food truck as well as open a small taproom focusing on exclusively local and independent craft beverages. We found a small auto body shop for sale and then converted it into Common Fields. In the process we added all the the things we thought Corvallis was missing at the time as well as incorporated all our hobbies. We wanted to create a family friendly and dog friendly atmosphere that was welcoming to everyone. We wanted to host all kinds of events and activities so the place was always busy but never felt crowded. Our love of local food connected us with a variety of amazing additional food trucks to add to our lot. Our love of Music helped us grow an amazing exclusively local and independent music line up. Our goal was to create a 3rd space that was approachable to all. with this in mind we kept live music and events free to all, and our food and beverage prices low. We focused mainly on creative outdoor spaces and the ability to reserve any space without a cost. Our vision was to create a community driven and focused space people wanted to send their time at. We offer free wifi and cozy study spots as well as tap talks, salsa dancing, and drag shows to name of few of the draws to common fields. Our trivia nights draw some of the biggest crowds as we use a stand up comedian and unique trivia structure that keeps bringing people back. We are humbled to step back and look at what Common Fields has become over the last 5 year and look forward to its long future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. We purchased the property before the pandemic hit and spend the full build out during the pandemic. we where forced to do everything ourselves and navigate how to start a business when nothing was open. after 1 year of delayed construction we opened to then be forced to navigate the pandemic. another year of forced closures, limited hours, and unknown we never knew what the next week would bring and we spent countless amounts of money and time trying to pivot. Once things opened back up we got thrown into an uncertain market and economy that to this day is unpredictable as we see sales decline and people go out less and less. this lack of income and peoples desire to go out has mad us double down on creating a space that is accessible to everyone while keeping our prices low. We are still pivoting as we seem to be living in a world where there is no norm.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in serving exclusively independent beer to the everyday average person. Our goal is to find products so local that locals are unaware of them. We like hunting down amazing beverages to share and surprise our customers and have become know for the place to go if you want to find unique local craft beer. Our other focus is on local food and sustainability. We also host a myriad of events and support a ton of local Charites. We are know for being the local gathering spot and community center.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think we have had much luck other than bad luck. Our strong will and determination has gotten us to pull through the pandemic and is continuing to help us navigate this current economy struggles.
Pricing:
- all alcohol is $7
- All N/A are $4
- Free to enter all events except drag shows
- $7 drag shows
- affordable food
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.commonfieldscorvallis.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/commonfieldscorvallis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonfieldscorvallis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhKsnVuDbsA
- Other: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZqDBN5Zn1A6aG39FjBnh1xtIQVbN4J0EKkV
