Saturday, March 25, 2006

The Nature of the Operation

Thoughts on the Nature Center’s eatery.

As I mentioned the other day, the Pueblo Chieftain cut off the continued material from page 2C in their on-line version of this interesting article about the Nature Center. The original article, in its foreshortened version is here.

I was disappointed. And a bit put out, as I have to type this stuff in now instead of linking and copying it.

Here’s my impersonation of Paul Harvey, with the rest of the story….

The restaurant space has an advantage with its proximity to the river and viewed of the trail and water.

“We’ve all thought about what we’d like to see and I think it’s a gold mine with its view, but the service has to be quick,” Zarr said. “You can only sell the view so many times.

The restaurant also faces a challenge with winter hours. The center’s request for proposals states that any restaurant operator must stay open year-round, but can have reduced hours from December through March. No specifics regarding the hours were given in the request.

Zarr said the board doesn’t expect a restaurant to keep the same full-time hours during winter that it would in the spring and summer months, but added that he’d like to see the restaurant open on weekends.

Zarr said at least three people have approached the center about the restaurant, which helped trigger the requires for proposals.

The board has no preference for style of food, but is looking for people with experience operating a restaurant.

For those interested in applying, the center will hold a general meeting and tour of the facility at 1 p.m. Monday [Ed Note: 27 Mar 06].

And HERE’s my opinion on what the board might want to consider….

The restaurant space has an advantage with its proximity to the river and viewed of the trail and water.

Sounds like a great place. I think I should go take a look at it, as I have always enjoyed such places that are so close to nature. The photo of the place from the preceding article looks great.

“We’ve all thought about what we’d like to see and I think it’s a gold mine with its view, but the service has to be quick,” Zarr said. “You can only sell the view so many times.

I disagree here. The setting in the photo looks like a great place to enjoy a lengthy déjeuner [please pardon my french] and watch the people going by on the trail. Looks like a great place to watch people. Sort of like being on the plaza in Santa Fe, only the people would be more athletic.

The view would sell itself. The real attraction, for sustained business would be the quality of the food.

This place could offer various forms of eating delight; quick stop, in-and-backonthetrail for the bikers and skaters, a nice lunch or aprés hike for the walking traffic and a full meal for those who want to enjoy the views and fine food.

There is no need to limit one’s dining pleasures in this forum. It’s simply a matter of using your imagination.

The restaurant also faces a challenge with winter hours. The center’s request for proposals states that any restaurant operator must stay open year-round, but can have reduced hours from December through March. No specifics regarding the hours were given in the request.

Zarr said the board doesn’t expect a restaurant to keep the same full-time hours during winter that it would in the spring and summer months, but added that he’d like to see the restaurant open on weekends.

True. Winter would be a ‘slow business’ period. But there would still be some opportunities.

I think the critical aspect would be the quality of the food. If the quality is there and the prices are reasonable, people will come. Take, for example the Steel City Diner.

The view at their current digs is not that great. But their food is superb. People keep coming back. And not because of the view. They keep coming back for the great food and the reasonable prices.

Another example the board could seize upon for the restaurant would be the Margarita at Pine Creek on the north side of Colorado Springs.

Zarr said at least three people have approached the center about the restaurant, which helped trigger the requires for proposals.

I wish the board luck and hope they’ll go for the gusto on this project. We don’t need another beanery or greasy spoon. Especially in a place as charming as the Pueblo Nature Center. We need something that will draw people to the Nature Center.

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