BISTRO: Long may it serve

Really? The city is just going to decide it is shutting down, or more accurately NOT going to re-lease, the property back to Kevin Eskelin, the owner of The Parkside Bistro. The latest article would have you believe there isn’t anything that can be done. It’s just inevitable, another sad story of change and progress due to some invisible bus of progress or bureaucracy surrounding the railroad.

I and many local citizens, filling in page after page of protest, say baloney!

Does the phrase “special consideration” sound plausible here to you? In a long history of how things work in the world of politics, let’s consider, The Riverstone Project…The Resort???

I for one, as well as hundreds of other local citizens, so far, would like to challenge this definitive end of the Parkside Bistro.

In reading the latest article which sounded like a sad farewell, Rick Thomas would have you believing that Kevin was resigned to the demise of his 14-year run of his Parkside Bistro. In talking to Kevin I found out, this is far from the truth. He is not willing to see the end of his dream. Quite the opposite, he’s looking for an answer to keep this quaint landmark of our city open. He has great ideas, and is open to the city offering others. He has even considered establishing a non-profit status to support the community and the city, like his neighboring Human Rights Museum. All he asks for is the right to fight for what is his, compromise if necessary… on both parts, at the very least… the time to work it out.

Whatever the solution may be, one thing is clear, he is willing to fight for his dream and far from resigned to losing it.

      I came here from another state to start my life over again. As a non-traditional full time student of NIC I have already acquired many fond memories of The Parkside Bistro. It embodies the essence of what this city is about. The summers here wouldn’t be the same without a ride around the park, on my beach cruiser, and a stop at Parkside for a game of lawn pong!

There is no history of negative events occurring at Kevin’s establishment. I was told by native residents, Randy Naccarato and Eric Halladay, the only incident they remember is one that ended in the police assuming someone’s iced tea, on the table out in the grass, was beer, they were mistaken. Kevin has a loyal and fond following. All of us who are signing the petition, as his patrons and friends, just want the eclectic, fun and completely chill Parkside Bistro to remain open!

LINDA ROTH

Coeur d’Alene