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Mariner Restaurant Group pitches waterfront concession at Harbor Island Park
Summary
Mariner Restaurant Group presented a phased plan for "Mariner at Harbor Island," proposing year-one pop-ups moving to a two-story waterfront restaurant, community programming and a 5% revenue share to the village with projected returns of roughly $250,000 over five years.
Mariner Restaurant Group presented its proposal on Oct. 14 to operate a restaurant and concession at Harbor Island Park, describing a phased rollout that would begin with temporary or mobile operations and could mature into a two-story, year-round waterfront restaurant.
Caitlin, who said she goes by “Catch” and identified herself as one of the partnership’s owners, told trustees the team has “about 60 years of hospitality experience” and that the operation would emphasize family-friendly programming, live music and a dock-and-dine option for boaters. “We blend food, drink, entertainment to serve as community anchors,” she said.
Matthew, a member of the ownership group introduced during the presentation, said the partnership treats concessions as extensions of the park experience and intends collaborative programming with Parks and Recreation, including youth internships, co‑branded events and senior socials. He said the proposal includes monthly or biweekly coordination meetings with village staff to address access, security and maintenance.
On finances, the presenters described a phased five‑year development plan submitted with their RFP response, starting smaller in year one and growing to more permanent structures over subsequent seasons. The group proposed a performance-based revenue share with the village (an initial 5%), and estimated the arrangement could provide roughly $250,000 in revenue to the village within five years if growth targets are met. “A 5% revenue share provides steady village returns that grow annually,” the presentation said.
Trustees pressed the presenters on staffing and local hiring. Caitlin said one of their larger venues employs about 60 people and that the partnership typically hires locally, including high‑school and college students, with staff progressing to longer-term roles. The presenters also described multiple service options (bar, table, walk-up, takeaway) and said ADA compliance and weather‑resilient design would be prioritized.
Board members asked about initial structure types; Mariner representatives said temporary solutions (mobile beer trucks, shipping‑container conversions or pop‑up concessions) are likely in early years, with a permanent structure considered only after later phases.
The board did not vote on the concession at the Oct. 14 work session. Trustees asked staff to keep the proposal on file and indicated further review and follow-up (including detailed contract discussions and site plans) would be needed before any authorization or permit process.
