Empty Restaurant needs ideas

[Curtis Bidwell]

I had a good fine dining restaurant in a 3500sf space when we purchased the mixed use building (38 residential units upstairs, 3 office/retail and a restaurant on street level). The owner/chef got distracted and we had to evict. It's been 4 years and we've only been occupied for one of those years.

I'm looking for ideas to perhaps change use to create interest and occupancy.

We are in a town with population of just over 10,000, 20 minutes to the state capital (Olympia). Building is on the historic registry. Any ideas for a new concept, dividing up the space or promoting what we have are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Pat L.]

A colleague of mine retired as Maintenance manager from an Industrial complex & was bored.

He also owned a large warehouse that was bleeding him dry with transient tenants so we all sat around one night tossing out ideas & he decide to approach a couple of the local community colleges. He offered to train technicians with hands on experience using the equipment he had in the facility & he would receive a portion of the tuition the college was charging. He also approached several businesses who sent their techs in for training & they  in turn would supply him with old equipment.

So expanding that though & in light of a recent situation I read about locally why not approach the local community college etc & offer the facility as a culinary school. With any foresight the syllabus could include what you need to learn to run a viable food service business. Something that is rarely taught in any faculty. 

If the college(s) are not receptive there maybe a couple frustrated chefs out there who would enjoy putting a course together & charge enough tuition to cover your o/head.

The training sessions could offer nights when meals are open to the public (at a cost in keeping with covering costs) & if it's anything like a couple of local colleges are doing around here it will be booked for several weeks in advance. In fact one of them has a large dance club book once a month for a combination of dining with a night of dancing like the old days. Then throw in a couple of Charity type Lobster-Fests & you will pack them in.

good luck