Riverside residents streamed into the Farm House Collective on opening day and immediately put it to use. The property was originally the Farm House Motel, a 1953 motor court that local developers the Bailey family have transformed into dining, retail and concert space. It’s called a lifestyle cen ter, a retail concept that has got a lot of attention in the last 20 years. Such properties are described as open air shopping centers with a “main street” atmosphere and a sense of community. That’s the purpose of The Farmhouse Collective, Beverly Bailey said at an opening ceremony on the Collective’s concert stage after the gates opened at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29. “I really want it to be when you come to the Farm House something is going on. You’ll see something you’ve never seen, experience something you’ve never had.” Kara Emmett, a student at California Baptist University, became one of the first performers to appear on the stage when she sang the National Anthem, but the first day was scheduled to end with a concert by the Allah-Las, a psychedelic rock band, and more bands are booked into September. Beverly Bailey said there would also be family events and movie nights posted on the Collective website. SEE ALSO: Dine 909: New restaurants open in Temecula and San Bernardino Customers started lining up for the opening at a side entrance in the parking lot around 9 a.m. The first was Dorien Upton, who came to support Eco Now, a “zero waste shop and bulk refill station.” “This is the first time I’ve been able to do this in two years,” she said, pumping cleanser from a drum into her own bottle. Hundreds enjoy the family friendly area during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Farm House Collective owner Beverly Bailey speaks during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Crystal Cervantes hangs plants at Rooted in Love Plant Shop during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Hundreds celebrate as during the ribbon cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) The historic sign and buildings of the Farm House Motel are now the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) GO GO BIRD owner Rachel Kida plays with her son Otis Kida, 3, during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Hundreds enjoy the grand opening of the Farm House Collective as they are reflected in an airstream trailer in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson welcomes all to the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 8Hundreds enjoy the family friendly area during the grand opening of the Farm House Collective in Riverside on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Expand Most of the cabins in the motor court survived years of neglect after the motel closed and sat empty for years. They have been converted to restaurants and shops. Most are local businesses. The driveway that ran through the motel is now a pedestrian walkway, and wooden decks with tables and lawn furniture were built to link the shops. Most of the businesses aren’t yet open, but several pop-ups were on hand to supply first-day crowds with snacks. Among them was Arcade Coffee Roasters, which will open its own concept with tacos and craft cocktails in coming weeks. Batter Rebellion, a Redlands restaurant that is branching out, signed on as a tenant in 2023 and one of the first eateries to open. It is currently serving burgers, waffles and french toast, but owner Steven Kramer said the menu would expand within two weeks. SEE ALSO: Oak and Ember brings a fusion of Southern barbecue and Latin flavors to Ontario The dining room and bar occupies what was once a living room and kitchenette. Kramer thinks his kitchen and storage area were originally bedrooms. The cabin’s fireplace remains. Kramer has further decorated the space with neon and dramatic wallpaper featuring skulls and flowers. Although the Baileys acquired the property in 2018, the complexities of repurposing an old building plus the COVID-19 pandemic stretched out of the project. Kramer said he started moving into The Farm House Collective in October and is still working on the interior. “It’s been a mad dash,” he said. The Farmhouse Collective is at 1393 University Ave., Riverside. Information: farmhousecollective.com Related Articles Del Taco is testing a throwback menu in Riverside There are plenty of good reasons to consider raising chickens 10 apps that will help you save money on food LCD Soundsystem and Pulp are co-headlining the Hollywood Bowl Matute Disco Stereo Tour is coming to the YouTube Theater   ...read more read less