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All aboard the Hummus Bus: Former FLC student converts van from home to restaurant

Mike Klaskala never thought while he was living out of his massive 1996 Grumman Step Van that one day he’d start a business inside it.

Yet if all goes according to plan for the former Fort Lewis College student, that’s exactly what’s about to happen.

Klaskala, 21, a Starkville, Mississippi, native, was in his second year of college at FLC for piano performance when he decided that instead of using his student loan money for rent, he’d buy a van and live in it.

He spent the 2014-2015 school year on a friend’s property on Blue Sage Mesa, near Hesperus, about 20 miles west of Durango.

“It was just really beautiful out there, very peaceful,” Klaskala said. “It was nice to wake up, cook food and enjoy the view. It was a hassle living that far away, but it was worth it.”

Last June, Klaskala moved into town with his girlfriend and started making for friends his specialty dish – hummus. It was a hit.

“I got so much feedback from friends and everyone loved it,” he said. “I just had so much support, and they encouraged me to sell this.”

Klaskala applied to be a vendor at this year’s Durango Farmers Market, and a few weeks ago received the word: He was in.

Racing to get all his permits, equipment and food in order, Klaskala has the intention that this summer will be a launch pad for what he hopes will become a sustainable career.

It’s a path many business owners in Durango have followed.

Getting a start

“One of the great things about the Farmers Market, for those who can get organized and start a business, it’s a really wonderful way to start in this town,” said Cody Reinheimer, marketing manager for the market, now in its 20th year.

“I would say there’s been hundreds of businesses started through the Farmers Market when you include all the farms, cafes, artisans.”

Among that list are local favorites Animas Chocolate Company, Cream Bean Berry and Fired Up Pizzeria.

“It was great exposure, and it was great for building relationships,” said Katie Burford, owner of Cream Bean Berry. “Also, just the community outreach, building my brand and letting people know what I was about.”

Max Fields, a partner at Fields to Plate Produce, said the Farmers Market helped his business immensely.

“It’s really our one outlet a week to meet face to face,” said Fields, whose products are usually sold to restaurants or local grocers. “So it’s nice for them and us to have the produce trade hands directly. It’s really important to know the farmers and have that relationship with their food.”

For any aspiring entrepreneurs who want to join the Farmers Market, Reinheimer said applications for each vendor type are available online and eventually are presented to the board of directors, who have final say.

Reinheimer said Klaskala sent the board a taste of his hummus the day his application was under review. It wasn’t required, but it was appreciated, he said.

“It was actually a great snack at our board meeting,” he said. “We really highly value local ingredients, and Mike is planning on using local vegetables for dipping into the hummus.”

Perfecting the dish

Klaskala, to no surprise, says hummus is hands down his favorite food. He first got a taste for the dish at a Middle Eastern restaurant in his Mississippi hometown, and then started making it on his own.

“Recently, I’ve been perfecting it down to the grams,” he said.

Using chickpeas, tahini from Nazareth, Israel, and traditional spices, Klaskala doesn’t make different flavors of hummus.

“For authentic hummus, there’s only one flavor,” he said.

In the meantime, Klaskala has a ton of work ahead if he plans to debut at the first Farmers Market session on May 14. A mountain of permits, renovations to the truck, licenses, insurance and vehicle registration are in his way.

“It’s extremely overwhelming, but luckily, I’ve had a lot of help,” he said. “It’s definitely not just a money-making venture, it’s more a community service, just giving people quick, cheap, healthy and delicious food.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com This article has been updated to correct the date of the first Farmer’s Market.



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