Docking Dockside Cafe

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comSANDUSKYSandusky officials anchored a popular restaurateur to keep serving crispy walleye tacos, mouthwatering burgers and other tasty treats from a city-run boating facility for many more years.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners supported a reworked contract for Dockside Cafe, the Paper District Marina's eatery.The new agreement supersedes an existing deal, set to expire in fall 2017.Dockside — run by Cesare Avallone, who also owns Zinc Brasserie, Hearth Pizza Tavern and Crush Wine Bar, all in Sandusky — debuted at the marina in 2012.The contract, running through fall 2020, includes several provisions mandating Dockside must:• Remain open from May 1 through Oct. 31 in each contract year• Pay the city $700 each month Dockside stays open for rent and utilities• Relinquish marina management services; city officials will hire someone else to oversee boats coming and goingIn the old deal, the monthly net income for Sandusky totaled $200: Avallone paid $700 for rent and utilities but also charged $500 per month for marina management services.Surrendering the boating business aspect allows Avallone to solely concentrate on marina-related kitchen and planning activities, city officials said."This new deal ensures Dockside can continue to operate in downtown Sandusky for a long time," city manager Eric Wobser said.Wobser believes the restructured arrangement can help both the marina and restaurant flourish."Dockside has been a smashing success, but with all the other successful downtown eateries they have, it's creating a challenge for the Avallones to provide marina management services," he said. "They want to focus on their thriving food businesses. Ultimately, what we decided to do was rework the lease and removed their management duties."Sandusky city commissioners approved a new contract for Dockside Cafe, extending the eatery's presence at the Paper District Marina through 2020.