New Restaurant at Bielenberg: Woodbury Council Gets First Look

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday examined plans for a new restaurant at the Bielenberg Sports Center.

Gartner Restaurant Holdings has been selected to handle food service at the new complex, which is currently under construction.

A restaurant would be built on the second floor of the new lobby, and Gartner Restaurant Holdings would also run a snack bar on the first floor.

Greg Gartner said his company has experience providing food service at other sports facilities and the concept for the Woodbury space was partially inspired by restaurants at the Xcel Energy Center.

Other municipal sports facilities are including restaurants, said Bob Klatt, Woodbury Parks and Recreation director.

“The trend is going that way,” he said.

The plans show a bar and seating area, along with a fireplace. The city plans to to the Bielenberg Sports Center for permanent improvements to the facility.

Gartner Restaurant Holdings would also provide “wagon cart” service to the surrounding fields, similar to operations at golf courses, Klatt said.

Gartner said people could order pizza from the restaurant on their iPads and have it delivered to a nearby field.

He also added that the cost for food at the restaurant and concession area would be reasonable.

“It’s not Metrodome pricing,” Gartner said.

The city wants Gartner Restaurant Holdings, which would also run a pro shop at Bielenberg, to work with local youth sports associations to “not do anything that detracts from their revenue,” Klatt said.

Added Gartner: “We want to be really careful of any relationships you have with the (Woodbury Athletic Association) or anyone else.”

Councilwoman Julie Ohs expressed concerns that those who are at the sports center just to watch games might feel that they’re obligated to purchase food at the restaurant. But city officials said there would be a divider between the restaurant area and other public space.

“We don’t want people to think that they can’t use that,” Gartner said.

Councilman Christopher Burns, meanwhile, said he’s happy to see the city out of the food-service industry, but questioned whether the new restaurant would detract from businesses slated at a mixed-use development planned across Radio Drive from the Bielenberg Sports Center.

“Maybe the pie’s big enough … but I struggle with that a bit,” Burns said.

Gartner pointed to how restaurants at the Xcel Energy Center haven’t taken away from business at other spots in downtown St. Paul.

“In fact, it’s enhanced that area,” he said.

Gartner does want to have a full liquor license at the restaurant, and the council discussed alcohol sales. Check back on Patch for a story.

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