Riverside's Farm House Collective Breathes New Life into Historic Motel

The Farm House Motel, the last remaining example of programmatic architecture on University Avenue, has been transformed into the Farm House Collective, a vibrant community hub featuring an impressive lineup of food vendors, retail spaces, and live music.

The Bailey family, whose roots in the Inland Empire date back to the 1880s, has restored and repurposed the locally cherished structure rather than allowing it to be demolished, like much of vintage University Avenue, for potential redevelopment.

"The restoration of this mid-century motor court as the Farm House Collective not only breathes new life into this stretch of University Avenue, it perfectly illustrates a moment in time," said Jennifer Mermilliod, architectural historian with JM Research and Consulting, who advised the Bailey family during restoration. "The rustic board-and-batten cottages, central auto space and whimsical neon sign are a real-life postcard of postwar American tourism, which sparked the transformation of our highways and byways into a roadside haven for weary travelers."

Beverly Bailey of Stronghold Engineering, Inc. first envisioned repurposing the vacant motel in 2019, as suggested by her son Kyler, who had the idea while driving past the property. The Baileys have a record of business success with Stronghold Engineering, Bailey California Properties, and Stronghold Motorsports. Their children, Brandon, Kyler, and Alyssa, continue to work with them in these family businesses. The Collective is seen as another family business as well as a passion project. The family have been lovers of live music for generations and are excited about being able to contribute to the Riverside scene as venue owners.

"My oldest son is 44, and our whole family has a love for music. We took the kids to concerts, but they were young and we've always had an appreciation for classic rock 'n' roll. We were that early on punk rock and new wave kind of scene. All this resurgence is great!" said Beverly Bailey. "to be able to tie into that sense of the '50s. It was a simple time. To bring the music back and just get that whole vibe and energy hopefully like that going again is really special."

The venue's diverse and in-demand concert schedule has the potential to make FHC a regional destination. Kyler Bailey has taken on much of the entertainment scheduling and recruited one of the most sought-after promoters in the industry, Phil Pirrone of Moon Block Party. Pirrone is responsible for the Desert Daze Festival and is curating the music programming at FHC. Pirrone has established himself as an elite, cutting-edge festival organizer and talent buyer in the music industry.

Kyler talked about the beginning of that relationship. "I just reached out to Phil (Pirrone) at Desert Daze. This was maybe two or three years ago. I told him about the Farmhouse." Kyler Bailey said. "At this point, we had already been in the worst part of getting started at the Farmhouse. The project was accepted and under construction. So, we formed a partnership with Moon Block and started planning for these events over the past few years. We're so excited to finally be at this place now with our grand opening next weekend with a free show for the community with Allah-Lahs, and then we will release our initial calendar of events."

The Bailey's have adopted "Grow Where You Are Planted" as the company motto. The Farm House Collective embodies that sense of making the best of where you are, recognizing history, and building something new. The Farm House Collective is an exciting addition to the Art and Enteranment environment of the city.

Here is a rundown of the offerings at the Farm House Collective and the calendar of upcoming events.

Food Vendors

Ga-Tang — A Filipino restaurant celebrating the "love of rice" with authentic dishes from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Using fresh ingredients, they create elevated all-in-one meals inspired by tradition.
Blue Bowl — A veteran-owned business known throughout Southern California for its custom-made acai bowls. They've established themselves as innovators in the superfoods category.
Batter Rebellion — Founded by Steven and Jennifer Kramer, this eatery welcomes diverse clientele for meals, cocktails, date nights, and family gatherings. Their menu features gourmet burgers and other comfort foods.
Bricks and Birch — Offering wood-fired pizzas with inspirations from Maine to Hawaii, they feature a signature crispy yet chewy crust. Their menu extends to fresh pastries, salads with house-made dressings, and Stumptown coffee.
Go Go Bird — A fried chicken concept from Executive Chef Brandon Kida, inspired by his Los Angeles childhood. The chicken is marinated in a special blend, fried, and finished with Szechuan-style chili oil.
The Taco Stand — Founded by Aram and Julian in 2013, this authentic Mexican taqueria draws inspiration from Tijuana's bustling taco stands and the founders' culinary adventures across the Baja Peninsula.
Benedetto Gelato — Created by husband-and-wife team Maresa and Andres, this artisanal gelato shop brings authentic Italian gelato to California. Their creations are guided by world-renowned Maestro Gelatero Maximiliano Macarrone.
Dada Sushi & Ramen — A Japanese restaurant offering both traditional and contemporary dishes featuring sushi and hearty ramen bowls made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Beverages

Cold One — A beer garden featuring craft beers in a laid-back atmosphere perfect for working, watching games, or enjoying live music.
Bar Ni Modo — Part of the Arcade Coffee Roasters family, this bar offers craft cocktails and elevated plates inspired by the flavors of Oaxaca and Mexico City, featuring mezcal, tequila, and locally sourced produce.

Retail Spaces

Rat City — A vinyl record store offering a curated selection of new and used records spanning genres from classic rock and jazz to soul and punk.
Eco Now — A sustainable lifestyle brand offering eco-friendly products and services, including locally sourced, non-toxic, plastic-free, and refillable home and body products.
Pocket Change — A pop-up store featuring curated thrifted finds, handcrafted goods, and art from over 40 creatives across California.
Rooted in Love — A plant shop offering a selection of houseplants, succulents, and unique pots and planters, now with a permanent location after starting as a mobile business.
Goods & Provisions — Housed in a polished Airstream trailer, this shop offers a curated marketplace of handcrafted treasures, artisanal provisions, and unique souvenirs celebrating the Farm House Collective.
111 — A versatile private space for small groups seeking personalized entertainment experiences, whether watching sports, enjoying karaoke, or listening to vinyl records.