Cafe’ Operations – Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals (RFP) – Café’ Operations
Mission Statement
Geer is a nonprofit community of healing professionals whose principal mission is to console, treat, strengthen, and refresh the bodies, minds, and spirits of the elderly and disabled residents of the tri-state area.
Organizational Summary
Geer Village Senior Community which provides housing and healthcare to a broad range of senior citizens from throughout rural northwest CT and the tri state area. Within the continuum of care, the organization provides low-income HUD housing, independent and assisted living, dementia care, skilled nursing, and Dial-a-Ride.
Geer Lodge is where the Café space is located. Geer Lodge is an Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care facility that has 114 apartments, up to 120 residents, visiting family members, and open to the public for events. The facility also houses a YMCA, as a tenant, which is open to the public and has access to the cafe. There is plenty of parking available.
Purpose(s):
The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to seek a new operator for the Café. A VERY generous lease will be negotiated with the chosen provider. The goal is to provide an alternate option for residents, families and the community.
Café History:
The Café has had approximately 4 operators since the building opened in 2002. It has had various types of menus and hours of operation. Most recently the Railway Café (now in Winsted) operated the café, very successfully. When the Covid pandemic forced us to close the facility to outside visitors the Railway Café relocated to Winsted.
The Space:
The Café is equipped with Geer owned furniture and appliances. All items in the café will be available for the use of the restaurant tenant. Any specialized equipment will be provided by the tenant. The tenant is permitted to provide outside catering using the leased space.
Expectations:
- Schedule operating hours for a minimum of 24 hours per week.
- Operating hours will be between the hours of 7 am – 2 pm, during designated days of the week.
- Preference is for healthy food choices along with take out or ready prepared options.
Proposals:
At a minimum please provide a concept, including sample menu and sample hours.
Preferred to include: restaurant concept/theme, name, marketing and/or branding information.
Reference:
References will be required as part of the selection process.
We can also provide contact information of the most recent tenant who is willing to provide a reference for us, as the landlord.
To set up a tour or ask questions, contact:
Stacie Nicholas, Geer Lodge, Executive Director
860-824-2618 snicholas@geercares.org
If interested the deadline for RFP’s is: Friday, October 27, 2023
We’d prefer an opening by January 1, 2024 at the latest.