A new restaurant in Como Park's historic lakeside pavilion brought in more than $1 million in its first four months of business and is projected to collect $1.6 million in revenue by year's end, St. Paul city officials said Tuesday.
The figures for the new Como Dockside restaurant were released by the city two months before a City Council race involving the pavilion's former vendor, David Glass, and incumbent Amy Brendmoen. The city ousted Glass from the pavilion after it said his Black Bear Crossings cafe was underachieving and not meeting city-set revenue goals. He later sued the city for breach of contract, and won an $800,000 settlement.
City officials, however, said Tuesday that the Dockside's performance so far is proof that the pavilion needed a stronger business and better amenities to draw customers. And they forecast more success into next year, projecting total revenue of more than $2.4 million for the full 12 months of 2016.
Of that, more than $200,000 is expected to flow into city coffers for capital improvements, park maintenance and to continue paying the settlement with Glass. That $200,000-plus is 10 times the rent the city once received for the space.
"What we had always hoped for was that this beautiful facility on Como Lake would be used to its potential," St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said. "This summer proved that people will flock to it in droves."
Glass, who was ousted after years of running his coffee shop and banquet business there, said he doesn't dispute the figures — just the city's tactics in removing him.
"Maybe the real question is: Do you really think at the end of the day that breaking a contract really models to the community and to others what it means to keep your word?" he said. "Is that good business? Is it good business ethics — just to make a few more dollars?"
Large crowds
Featuring New Orleans-style food, along with wine, beer, cocktails and live music, the Dockside has drawn large crowds all summer. Jon Oulman, who runs the restaurant with his partners — owners of the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in downtown St. Paul and the 331 Club in Minneapolis — said the restaurant "has been slammed" by big crowds. And it hasn't even started its banquet business yet.