After a 15-month vacancy, the Georgetown Public Library will once again have a cafe.
Georgetown City Council approved a partnership between Georgetown Public Library and Sweet Lemon Kitchen at its Jan. 25 meeting.
"We are really excited to be partnering with Rachel and Kevin Cummins to open Little Lemon at the Library," Library Director Sally Miculek said.
The library submitted a request for public proposals in November, after finishing renovations to the cafe space. Miculek received interest from several vendors, but with the support of her staff and City Council, she elected to move forward with the team at Sweet Lemon.
"We want people to be comfortable here, and part of being comfortable is having access to food and drink in a friendly space," Miculek said. "Sweet Lemon is known for their quality of products, friendliness of staff, attention to the little details and I think all of that goes really nicely with the library's focus on strong customer service and friendly attitude to the work that we do."
Little Lemon is expected to open this spring.
The cafe is subject to a five-year contract with three additional one-year renewal opportunities. The contract also stipulates that the cafe's hours align with library hours, serves as the primary caterer for events and will provide Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission-licensed bartenders when needed.
In addition, the city asks that the cafe generate a minimum of $19,493 annually, plus 6% revenue from catering sales. This requirement may be adjusted at term renewal.
Rachel and Kevin Cummins opened Sweet Lemon in 2014 as an inn. They rebranded as a dining and event space in 2016.
Little Lemon at the Library will offer a selection of beverages, pastries and light lunch fare.
