Restaurant applies to operate at former Stumptown Marketplace

The Whitefish Planning Board will consider a request for a beer and wine bar to operate as part of a restaurant in the former Stumptown Marketplace during its meeting on Thursday.

The planning board meets at 6 p.m. remotely via Webex.

Marissa Keenan is requesting a conditional use permit to operate a bar selling beer and wine as associated with a new restaurant planned to use the entire building at Spokane Avenue.

Stumptown Marketplace had previously been a market with several tenants operating retail and food businesses inside.

Keenan is a co-owner of Sweet Peaks Ice Cream and Wild Coffee Company in downtown Whitefish.

Under city zoning code, a CUP is required for the business since it has a retail on-premises beer and wine license. A restaurant and beer wine license would be exempt from CUP requirements.

The plan is to create a restaurant featuring small unique plates as well as wine and beer served by the glass and bottle, according to the application with the city. The restaurant would also use the existing outdoor patio seating area in the alley for customers.

“The entire building will be utilized by our businesses as a gathering space for enjoying great food and beverage,” Kennan says in the application. “The theme itself will be mountain town and ski culture and will highlight the history of Whitefish and its ski roots.”

The business also plans to sell retail package sales of beer and wine, according to the application with the city.

Kennan says the business would contribute to the economic well being of the community and a restaurant would be similar to others already operating in the area. Proposed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

City planning staff is recommending approval of the request with seven conditions.

The planning board will make a recommendation to City Council, which is set to hold a public hearing and vote on the request at its June 7 meeting.

Also on the agenda, are two separate requests for conditional use permits for accessory apartments.

Brian and Mariah Joos are requesting a CUP to construct an accessory apartment as part of a new single-family home at 312 Kalispell Avenue. The current home on the property will be removed.

Paul Preston is requesting a conditional use permit to construct an accessory apartment above a new two-car garage at 41 Kalispell Avenue. The property currently has a single-family home and carport that will be removed.

For information on how to join the meeting visit the city’s website at https://www.cityofwhitefish.org/ or call 863-2400.