On a January 8, 1991  morning the Common Sense Restaurant and Wholesome Food

Market was destroyed by fire. The establishment was recently brought

back to life almost 20 years after it burned.

By Scott Wheeler

The opening of the Common Sense and Yellow Deli on Cross Street in Island Pond on July 4 has been a long time coming.  Some might even consider it as the resurrection of a popular eatery which burned in January 8, 1991 . That establishment, which started out as the Yellow Deli, in time became known as the Common Sense Restaurant and Wholesome Food Market.

            “It was 28 degrees below zero,” Karen Forkey said, thinking back almost two decades to the morning of the fire. It’s her understanding that an overheated wood furnace, which in turn triggered a chimney fire, caused the inferno that wiped out the block.

            The former restaurant, which was located at the corner of Cross and Alder Streets, was owned by a religious community now known as the 12-Tribes as is the current establishment. Karen, or “Yedell”, as she is known in the community, is a long-time member of the community.

“I remember seeing the smoke,” Forkey said during a break from waiting on tables in the new restaurant.  Although time has taken her recollection of when the fire was noticed she assumed it was probably around 8:30 in the morning because the children of the community were just beginning to arrive for their school classes on the third floor of the building. Fortunately everybody escaped from the building safely.

 The Common Sense Restaurant and Wholesome Food Market

before it burned in 1991.

As hard as the firefighters worked, she said they couldn’t save the building. “The smoke kept getting blacker and blacker.” The building was a total loss but fortunately everybody got out safely.

“We were of course, all very troubled at the devastation,” Forkey said.  “I remember, with tears in my eyes asking John Howley, ‘What are we going to do now?’ He looked me straight in my eyes, with a look that can only be described as, don't  lose heart, and said, ‘We still have each other!’ as he helped the firemen with their hoses.  We thought maybe it was 'time to swarm' to all the places we'd been invited to. Swarming happens to a honeybee hive when it gets too full.”

  Three members of the 12-Tribes who work in the new establishment: Maurice “Roi”

Campbell, Rachel Campbell, and Karen “Yedell” Forkey.

Thanks to a combination of great food and a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere the new restaurant is already building up a loyal following.

“It’s so much like the old restaurant,” Rachel (Guillette) Campbell said.  “Many locals have been asking us when we were going to rebuild.” Her husband, Maurice Campbell, who is known as “Rori” in the community, reflected back to the days of the old Common Sense and what made it so special.

“A lot of people came in there,” he said. “It was a place where our people could meet and we could meet other people. A lot of people missed it.”

            The Campbells, who work in the new restaurant, are natives of Orleans County. They have been members of the 12-Tribes for more than 30 years; however they weren’t living in Island Pond at the time of the fire.

            The restaurant is open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday it is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Saturday. The phone number is (802) 723-4453.

The Common Sense and Yellow Deli officially opened for business

in Island Pond on July 4. It is owned by the 12-Tribes community.