City gives business incentive to Black Bear Diner

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Yes, Black Bear Diner is still coming to Menifee, and yes, the City of Menifee is taking steps to support the restaurant's plans for an expanded dining experience at the former Coco’s Restaurant site at Bradley Road and McCall Boulevard.

As SB Diner, LLC continues plans to improve the facility, the City Council on Wednesday took action to make Black Bear Diner the latest recipient of assistance in the Menifee Business Incentive Program. The program was created in 2013 “to incentivize and attract new quality business development, in an effort to improve the overall economy by encouraging desired amenities and tenants residents and businesses have requested, providing jobs, and generating long term revenues to support essential city services (i.e. Police, Fire, and public services),” according to the presentation to council.

Previous beneficiaries of the program include Applebee’s and Bushfire Kitchen.

The list of agreement terms between the City of Menifee and SB Diner, LLC is as follows:

-- A $50,000 incentive, paid at 50 percent of the sales tax generated annually, up to three years or whichever occurs first

-- No Quality-of-Life Measure DD funds are to be utilized

-- Employ local residents to the best of their ability, to the extent of the law

-- Planned opening by the end of 2022

-- SB Diner, LLC, would indemnify the City on all liabilities.

“The lease is signed, but there have been additional costs,” said Gina Gonzalez, economic development director. She said necessary improvements include upgrading of the decades-old electrical system and doubling the size of the grease trap.

In addition, Black Bear Diner plans the following improvements to make dining a more attractive experience to residents:

-- Adding a new outdoor enhanced patio

-- Updated landscaping

-- Updated parking slurry

-- Enhanced façade to match Black Bear Diner’s required theme

-- Adding a parapet for signage and architectural transitions on the roof and cover roof equipment

Plans are for the restaurant to open by the end of the year. Meanwhile, residents are still asking why a “for lease” sign remains posted on the property.

“The owner refuses to remove the sign until the improvements are completed,” Gonzalez said.