Sandcastle, a new eatery taking over the concession stand at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, will open this spring.
The concession stand has been empty for the past couple of years, according to Amy Greeley, who is a co-owner of the restaurant with her husband, chef Doug Flicker, along with Chele Payer (see photo at left).
Flicker is well known for his award-winning restaurant,
Piccolo, in Minneapolis.
Greeley and Flicker live nearby in the Longfellow neighborhood.
Greeley says the opportunity came out of a unique relationship with the
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB), which granted the trio a contract in December.
Construction at the site is planned to start in the coming weeks, according to Greeley.
The existing lakeside structure is getting a fresh look, but the place will "hold true to the concession beach feel," she says. She describes the design as reminiscent of the Boardwalk in New Jersey's Atlantic City, "But it'll feel more modern."
A new full kitchen will be enclosed, with big windows so that people can see food being prepared inside. Heat-treated wood paneling will go on the building's exterior. "The wood will be treated in a unique fashion, like they do it in Finland," she says.
Between the stylized wood paneling and other colorful materials, "At different times of the day, with the way the sun hits it, the reflection or the aspect of the building will look different."
Sustainability, both in the build-out and in the business operations, is a big priority. "We want to get as near to zero waste as possible," she says, adding, "We're talking with people about how to achieve that," including a master recycler.
So far, the community has been receptive to the new restaurant. "What we heard a lot was that people wanted a place to sit down and have a snack and enjoy something close to their homes, that they can bike or walk to."
"We want it to be community-focused, with good, healthy and fun food," and to "be a place where people can spend time and make memories."
The restaurant is slated to open in May.
Source: Amy Greeley, Sandcastle
Writer: Anna Pratt