Alice says goodbye

The city of Huntington Beach has received two proposals to take over and restore the building that holds Alice’s Breakfast in the Park, a 28-year city institution. But neither one would preserve the Central Park institution renowned for its cinnamon rolls.

City officials didn’t release the details of the two proposals submitted to the city before a deadline last week, but owner Alice Gustafson, 77, said she did not submit a proposal because she couldn’t afford what the city was asking.

“It would double my rent,” she said. “I can’t afford that.”

City officials had put out a solicitation for proposals, calling the property “underutilized.” The goals of the solicitation would be to change the face of the restaurant, putting a bistro with “twilight dining” and alcohol service in Central Park.

That’s something Gustafson said she found distasteful.

“This is not the place for something like that,” she said. “This is a family place. People around here don’t want a bistro that’s open until 10 at night.”

Officials said that while Gustafson’s restaurant had received lower rents in the last several years in exchange for her keeping up the aging building, they weren’t satisfied.

Any new owner would have to make more changes, such as making restrooms accessible for those who have disabilities, treating for termites and painting the outside.

Gustafson said she had kept the building painted and shored up the structure, but found city demands to do foundation work and other serious rehabilitation out of her price range.

“I’m irritated,” she said. “I did keep it up the best I could. You do what you can with the money you have.”

Even knowing the restaurant will eventually shutter, Gustafson said she still hopes she can hold out to 2010, when she plans to retire.

“They still have to decide on something new,” she said.

The two proposals will be reviewed by city officials by Oct. 3, when staff members could make a recommendation to the City Council.

Interim City Administrator Paul Emery said no decision had been made yet on a proposal to take over the property, and it would happen in a public vote by the City Council.

“The proposals will be brought before the City Council in a publicly noticed meeting,” he said.