Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board approves new food vendor at Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska

A new food vendor lease for Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska was approved at tonight’s Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s (MPRB) Board of Commissioners meeting. The five-year lease with Lola’s Café to operate Lola’s on the Lake passed on a unanimous vote.

Lola’s on the Lake plans on offering a combination of seafood, “grab and go” smoked products, beverages and frozen treats from mid-April through mid-October. Its proposed menu includes crab cakes, wings, rib tips, street tacos, salads, sandwiches, fish and chicken entrees, as well as a kid’s menu featuring hot dogs, fish sticks, grilled cheese and chicken tenders. Founder and owner Louis King wants to introduce kiosks near the food pavilion and at two locations around the lake to help speed up service and offer opportunities to rent small tables, blankets and reusable bags to dine nearby in the park.

The decision comes after a request for proposals was issued this summer and a committee comprised of MPRB and community representatives thoughtfully and thoroughly considered 12 proposals.

Lola’s is a veteran-led, family-owned business led by a diverse team with more than 35 years of leadership in full-service restaurant, fast food take-out and concessions experience. Lola’s has operated at the Lupient Waterpark, US Bank Stadium and a variety of fairs and festivals including SoundSet and Twin Cities Pride. Lola’s has been selected as a Super Bowl showcase vendor.

Lola’s now joins a small but growing group of vendors who have made food a destination within the Minneapolis park system. The MPRB began working with outside vendors for food and beverage services within concession facilities in 2002.  Since then, the MPRB has entered into 19 agreements with eight vendors for services provided at four concession venues in Minneapolis parks.

The current lease between Tin Fish owners and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, for operation of the MPRB restaurant building on Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska, expires December 31, 2017. Earlier this year, the MPRB offered Tin Fish owners a 15-year contract renewal to continue services. Tin Fish owners declined. The MPRB issued a Request of Proposals (RFP) this summer and a committee of staff and community representatives reviewed proposals to recommend a vendor to MPRB Commissioners.

All current MPRB lease agreements with food venue operators require 12 percent of proceeds to the MPRB and investment into buildings being used, with both the vendor and the MPRB contributing to building and site improvements at each location. Last year, the MPRB received approximately $850,000 in revenue from its four food vendors. To date, vendors at Harriet, Nokomis and Minnehaha have made improvements valued at almost $2 million: $1.1 million by Sea Salt in Minnehaha Regional Park, $500,000 by Sandcastle at Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park, and approximately $280,000 by Bread and Pickle at Lake Harriet, part of the Chain of Lakes Regional Park. 

Earlier this year the MPRB discussed potential terms with Tin Fish owners that included kitchen improvements of approximately $900,000 and restroom improvements of approximately $1.3 million per the regional park master plan, for a total of approximately $2.2 million. Funding for Tin Fish’s proposed kitchen improvements would have been paid through an escrow account from Tin Fish proceeds and the restroom improvements would be funded by the MPRB. Louis King’s proposal for Lola’s on the Lake includes a description of investments to take place in three phases: cosmetic occupancy renovations to provide storage and prep space; construction of a pergola in the second year to provide shade for visitors on the patio; and further enhancements based on the MPRB master plan.