The City of Great Falls is requesting proposals for the full-time operation of a café/restaurant at the Community Recreation Center.

The current area consists of 710 square feet of customer seating/serving area, 648 square foot kitchen area with walk in cooler and 1,420 square feet of additional space adjacent to the restaurant.

“The city is interested in providing a quality addition to the Community Recreation Center that will complement the center, promote a friendly atmosphere, and enhance the use of the facility,” according to a release from the Park and Recreation Department.

Rec Center staff began operating DeMolay Cafe in the space in May, but it closed Nov. 2. It served soups, salads, sandwiches and other concessions items including pretzels, nachos, hot dogs, candy, slushies and soft drinks.

Patty Rearden, deputy director of Park and Rec, said the department wasn’t able to build the cafe business so that it would be profitable, or at least pay for itself with a little cushion, so staff opted to cease operations and reopen the space for proposals.

The Burger Bunker moved out last fall. Good Eats originally started in the space before that.

According to city records, the first lease for the space was issue in 1997. The most recent was issued in 2007. There were two separate owners of Good Eats, according to the city records.
Burger Bunker, Big Bang Pizza moving to downtown Great Falls

The city will consider proposals for alternate use of the space. Proposal forms can be picked up at Park and Recreation, 1700 River Drive N. Sealed proposals are due by 3 p.m. Jan. 11 and must be mailed or delivered to City Clerk; P.O. Box 5021; Room 102, Civic Center; Great Falls, Montana 59403-5021

For additional information contact Patty Rearden, deputy director at 771-1265 or Erica McNamee, Community Recreation Center supervisor, 727-6099.