Walking down Fourth Street towards Madison Avenue in Corvallis you will notice a new sign on the corner of the original JC Penney building. The sign reads “The Plaza.” The glitzy neon-like sign outside reflects the amazing transformation that has happened inside, which is now open for business.
After you enter the front door, stop to take it all in. The open air food court now features a taste of five different choices – from craft superfoods to tacos to poke to waffles paired with excellent local coffee. Walk further into the lobby and notice the plentiful table seating. That’s when you’ll see the stairs going downstairs.
These are the original stairs from when the building opened in 1955. Both the steps and the handrailings have been refurbished but everything else is as it was since the beginning. What you find at the bottom of the stairs is opportunities to learn how to play the piano, to write poetry, to inspire art and to get an unwanted tattoo removed. There’s even a refurbished baby grand piano you can play that used to be on the street during the now defunct Da Vinci Days.
But the smells from above and the pull of your tummy will take you back upstairs. Stand on the top step and take a look around at your options. Straight ahead is Nouveau Poke Co., which features unique flavors crafted from quality ingredients. Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Korean cuisine, this locally owned company delivers a modern interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian dish. It is a nice compliment to the food truck they have at Common Fields a few blocks away.
That’s just the first of the fine assortment of food options. Next up is 4 Waffles Luxe. They offer an elevated waffle experience with indulgent, beautifully crafted creations made to order. From sweet to savory, each waffle is gluten-free and dairy-free, thoughtfully topped and designed to feel both playful and luxurious. From sweet indulgences to savory masterpieces, enjoy safe-for-celiac perfection. The owner has had celiac disease for 15-plus years and struggled to find a safe place to eat out. That’s why they do what they do. Their waffles are also sold at Market of Choice.
Next, walk about 20 feet to Tacos El Machin. The wonderful smells of authentic Mexican food will draw you in. They are known for their affordable and flavorful street tacos, with a reputation for generous portions, quick service, and a variety of house-made salsas. They were previously located on the nearby corner of Southwest Fourth Street and Western Boulevard. However, that location didn’t have an indoor kitchen for their bar customers. They had a food truck outside that served street tacos. Despite the inconvenience and the unpredictable weather, the setup had a steady customer base. The Plaza came calling at just the right time. The building they were renting was sold and they did not want to install a kitchen.
To finish off your Plaza food experience go another 20 feet to Everbowl, where the craft superfood is made from stuff that’s been around forever. Fruit-forward bowls and smoothies are made fresh to fuel your day and keep you moving.
Everyone in your group can craft their own food experience. With plenty of seating, diners and others can gather around and try everything. Look to finish off your meal with a great cup of Coffee Culture espresso and a pastry.
Being in a new space has been great so far, said everyone involved. This transformation with everything new and fresh has given every owner a little pep in their step
In 2024, Lee Eckroth and Tony Pappas began transforming the historic JC Penney building into a bright, welcoming place for food, creativity, and community connection. Both of them are committed to carry on the belief of the original founder of JC Penney, James Cash Penney, in “Always First Quality.” This revitalization was supported in part by a $325,000 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, with leadership from the Downtown Corvallis organization.
“We worked hard to keep the original feel of Mr. Penney’s vision,” said Eckroth. “By opening up the inside to make it more welcoming, reinforcing the bones and bringing the building into the 21st century while honoring that ’60s vibe,” Pappas added. “ It is still a work in progress but I’m so proud of the job everyone has done and couldn’t be happier with the businesses that took a leap of faith and joined us.”
The Plaza is not the only building that this duo have revitalized. You might have noticed the two buildings on Third Street and Madison Avenue with new lights across the top. The building on the south side of Madison is the home of Koriander restaurant and Runway Fashion Exchange thrift store. Across Madison on the north side is Guardian Games and Grassroots. All of downtown is buzzing about the new addition to the variety of family-owned businesses, including book stores, art galleries, candy shops, jewelers, hairstylists, and more.
