City picks Belfast Co-op to run park concession
In a plan approved by the city this week, the Belfast Co-op envisioned the City Park concession stand as an extension of the cafe in the business' current downtown storefront, pictured here. (Photo by Ethan Andrews)
In a plan approved by the city this week, the Belfast Co-op envisioned the City Park concession stand as an extension of the cafe in the business' current downtown storefront, pictured here. (Photo by Ethan Andrews)
BELFAST - Locals coming to City Park this summer will find a familiar name on the concession stand. Visitors accustomed to lunch wagon fare are likely to see a few new things on the menu. And both may be in for some surprises.
The change comes courtesy of the Belfast Co-op, which was awarded a contract to serve as the park's concession this summer.
In its application to the city, the Co-op likened the City Park location to an offshoot of the deli and cafe that the business has operated out of its downtown storefront since the mid-1990s.
"A lot of what we offer would be things we currently offer to our customers at the store," the decription read. "We envision on a sunny day many of our current patrons deciding to do a 'lunch in the park' instead of coming to the storefront and eating in the cafe."
The Co-op also noted plans to inform summer camps and other community organizations, the hospital and the Belfast harbormaster in hopes of bringing visitors to the park.
City officials welcomed the proposal, and after a brief question about whether a person would still be able to get a hot dog — and subsequent "tofu dog" comment [the Co-op is actually known for its meat sausages] — the Council gave unanimous support to the idea.
A sample menu provided by the Co-op included burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, nachos, quesadillas, fresh fruit, yogurt, drinks and smoothies, ice cream, chips and popcorn.
The foods would be sourced to the Co-op Deli's usual standards, according to the application, and would be from local sources when available.
City Manager Joe Slocum noted that the prices were competitive. A plain burger on the sample menu was listed at $3.00, a hot dog $2.00 and salads $3.00.
The Co-op will take the place of The Spot at City Park, which operated from 2011 to 2012 and was known for its popular, tiny — and according to owner Dan Alex, sometimes maddeningly unprofitable — "spot" ice cream cones.
Under the proposal approved by the City Council, the Co-op's concession stand in City Park would be open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., from May 12 to September 8.
Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com
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