Little John’s food cart pod releases designs for Old Town Sherwood Location
The newly released designs showcase plans for what could be Sherwood's first food cart pod
SHERWOOD, Ore. — The proposed Little John’s food cart pod in Sherwood is taking shape, with developers releasing architectural designs as the project moves through the city’s land-use process.
Little John’s submitted its complete land-use package to the City of Sherwood on Sept. 1, beginning what developers expect will be a four- to six-month review process.
“We are very excited about the progress with Little John’s,” said Jessica Balfour, one of the project’s developers. She and her husband David are the owners of the property, which is the historical white church, formerly St. Francis, in Old Town Sherwood.
The proposal still requires review and approval from the city, including a conditional use permit and other land-use approvals. The City Council will also need to approve the plans.
Balfour said the project’s architectural redesign was created by Portland-based Scott Edwards Architecture. The team was asked to preserve the character of the existing church building while adding a new structure that could accommodate customers during Oregon’s colder and wetter months.
“We asked them to maintain the vision of the church while adding an exterior building that could support a lot of patrons during the cold and rainy months Oregon has, and I think they delivered wonderfully,” Balfour said.
The design combines the existing building with a new exterior structure, including additional seating intended to give customers a place to gather year-round.
“It was important for us to have enough seating for our customers, so we spent time investigating what other food cart pods offered and if that was enough,” Balfour said. “The size of the outdoor structure was built accordingly, and we are very confident there will always be a table for someone.”
The project has also added several new partners.
The pod's proposed design features covered and uncovered seating in a treehouse-like style. (Courtesy image: Little John’s/Scott Edwards Architecture)
Sam and Haley Karpeles along with Joel and Carlin Smith have joined the project. Balfour said Sam Karpeles graduated from Sherwood High School with her and her husband in 2008 and currently works with them at another Sherwood business, The Valuation Group.
Joel Smith, owner of J.A. Smith Contracting LLC, will serve as the contractor. According to Balfour, Smith has built four other food cart pods in the Portland area.
“We’ve brought in partners that are invested in the vision we are creating,” Balfour said.
While the project began with the idea of creating a food cart pod, Balfour said the vision has continued to grow.
“I couldn’t begin to pick one thing I am most excited about,” she said. “This project has evolved in so many fun ways between the renovation of the existing building, the design and build-out of the deck and tree porch we are planning, a space for kids to run and play, and so many little choices we are making that will create something bigger than I anticipated when we first set out on this journey.”
The developers are also planning to create a gathering space intended to appeal to a wide range of visitors.
“We are still working to create a space for the community to gather that hopefully has something for everyone that wants to visit,” Balfour said. “We are being intentional with the choices we make.”
The current goal is to open Little John’s next summer, although Balfour acknowledged the timeline is dependent on the city’s review process and could change.
“Our goal for opening would be next summer, but [the] timeline is tight and it could be pushed,” she said. “I am an eternal optimist, however, so I am very hopeful we can execute on this timeline and bring this to our community next summer.”
Balfour said the project team is continuing to work toward that goal as the proposal moves through the approval process.
“Just know we are doing everything we can to make it happen,” she said.
Jules Rogers
Jules Rogers
Jules Rogers
