The Lot

It was a rainy day late in June 2012, the day we made an offer on this empty commercial lot with the idea of turning it into a food cart lot. I remember having the thought as I looked outside and watched it pour...that I would remember this rainy day as the day we started a new life path! It was exciting and terrifying. So many questions and unknowns, the risks and rewards kept us up at night. But the opportunity was there, so we decided swing for the fences and jump ALL in to this new adventure!

Really the seed for this venture was planted a few years before that fateful rainy day. It was several summers before that, when David met up with his brother in Portland for a brother trip. They happened upon a small food cart lot near OMSI. Topher went to one cart and David headed to another and thought about how great this would work in Bend, especially if there was a way to sell beer too. Over the next six months, David couldn't get this idea of building a food cart lot with cool, hip atmosphere out of his mind. We decided to take the plunge and called the Realtor. It was a bit anticlimactic because it took the Realtor several days to call us back. I guess he received 20+ calls a day on this property from people wanting to turn it into a food cart lot. But when they learned how much money, time and unknowns it was going to take, they backed off. I guess we were the right people for the job because for some reason we LOVE the challenge of big risk. ;)

After 11 months of paperwork between architects, engineers, city planning and working with the OLCC, we got the green light to start construction. CS Construction was very professional, amazingly speedy and specifically Darren the general contractor was on top of every detail. There was all the site work of getting water, sewer and electricity underground for the cart spots and our building of taproom and bathrooms. They poured lots of concrete for the beams and slab of the structure, as well as new curb and sidewalk along the two sides of the corner lot. I don't think I ever really appreciated curb and sidewalk along city properties before, but after realizing how much that improvement costs, I now have to smile when I see people walk, bike and skate on the new smooth concrete we paid to develop for all to enjoy. =-) David took on staining all the beams, purlins and decking for the ceiling. Then there were all the decisions...oh man, so many decisions. The type of siding, the roofing material, the benches, tables and fire pit design, fence ideas, just to name a few.

It was fun to see each stage of the building process. It seemed like every day or so there was a new physical difference to the "empty" lot. We were constantly walking, biking and driving by the lot, keeping tabs on each stage of progression.

We had several different ideas for what we might call this food cart lot, but none of them stuck. Our daughter, Piper was always saying "Can we go by the lot, can we go by the lot?!" It was just what we naturally ended up calling it. This realization made me think of my dad’s car lot he owned while I was growing up. The car lot had it's own name, "I'deal Wheels", but as a family we always referred to it as, the lot. I like the history of the name "The Lot" in my family and I like how naturally it has stuck for this project too. "Let's meet for dinner and a beer at The Lot!" Go ahead, say it, it just feels good! =-)

Seeing the slab go in made a big difference to me, just seeing the footprint of what was to be, instead of trying to imagine it from drawings on paper. Then all of a sudden, BOOM, the building was up and the roof was going on. Next it was time to finalize the plans on the seating area. There were countless hours spent thinking through the angles and spacing of the benches, tables, fire pit and rock wall. Putting that mathematical brain to work, it is fun to know that this whole place came out of the imagination of David’s head. It is such a "one of a kind" kind of place. Just like him.
Then we were down to the finishing touches. Waiting on the siding, kitchen, pavers, landscaping, tables, benches...well okay, we still had a ways to go!

It was no easy task to get the steel I beam benches and fire pit in place. But it got done seamlessly. Our welder did an amazing job with David's sketches. Filling the steel with concrete, made for bomber proof, built-in furniture. The idea to make the benches, heated benches, is one more unique touch that has captured the heart of our customers.

Oh, the story of the rock wall. The love, hate, love relationship we developed over the 2 weeks it took to make it just right.

First off, we checked out the piles of river rock at a few locations. We chose one pile that looked like it had mostly bigger rocks, but some smaller rocks. We thought the few small rocks would fill in gaps of the bigger rocks and a few might fall through.

We had a dump truck deliver 10 yards of rock. Well, unfortunately the rock pile we ordered had big rocks on the outer layer, but when it got scooped, the majority of the rocks that got delivered were small. Too small... smaller than our 2 inch square mesh panels.

Ugg, what a mess! The small rocks kept pouring out of the panels, we started hand picking the rocks and only putting in the bigger rocks and that was working better, but eventually we ran out of the big rocks. We ended up going back to the rock quarry 10 more times in our mini-van and HAND PICKING (1000 lbs at a time) all the 3 to 4 inch rocks we meant to buy in the first place.

But before placing each of these new rocks we had to pick out and settle each panel so that over time the small rocks wouldn't fall out and leave a big space. David and I worked by headlamp until midnight for many nights in a row, trying to undo the mess we had created by putting in the small rock in the first place.

It became kind of satisfying and almost cleansing as we plucked one by one with screwdrivers all the small rock out. And finally we got to set each "hand blessed" rock in its place to forever not fall out of our two inch square panels. The finishing touch came when the welder put the cap on...and man oh man I am proud of this wall. I must say for all the hours it took, it is a piece of art.
The final piece to opening was choosing the food carts. It was a hard choice, for there are so many great carts in town. We wanted variety to the carts and owners who were willing to be part of something bigger than just their cart. This is a perfect example of power in numbers. Having a variety of food all in one place brings in more customers than if each cart were parked on their own. The crowd pleasing ability for groups and families to have 5 different options of food, yet be able to go to one location and eat together. Every cart has something different to offer and the symbiotic relationship of the carts and the taproom work in everyone’s favor.
The Lot is family friendly, dog friendly, solo eating friendly and a great place to meet a group. It is relaxed, clean and friendly. The seating area stays warm in the winter with heaters and heated benches and cool in summer by opening the garage doors to let in the breeze. The open air concept creates an opportunity to eat inside, yet feel outside all seasons of the year.In the taproom, there are 16 taps to choose from with a variety of beer, two ciders and two kombuchas. As well as a white and red wine option. The taps are constantly changing, with the exception of a few local handles that stay stocked year round. Our crew of bartenders are experienced, knowledgeable and just plain fun to be around. They not only pour the beer, but DJ the music, send out good vibes, and keep this space in tip top shape for all to enjoy.
We have made many improvements since opening in August of 2013 and plan to continue the iteration of The Lot. We hope you can feel the heart and soul that has been put into creating this space. The love and passion of the chefs in the carts creating food one order at a time. The perfectly straight bar stools that line the tall middle table, designed for friends and strangers to dine together. The weekly events for the community to enjoy Trivia Tuesdays, Open Mic Wednesdays and Local Live Music Thursdays. There are five businesses on one property working together to create a unique dining experience. We hope you love it.