The restaurant, an offshoot of The District on Citrus Avenue, is an American bistro with a French flare, according to owner Arin Kramer.
“It’s very quaint and small,” she said. “It reminds me of something you might pass in New Orleans or New York and something that I’ve invested all of myself in. I can’t wait to give that to people and make memories as I have with The District.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the council set an Oct. 31 deadline for Kramer and her husband, David, to begin operations.
It’s been nearly two years since the council first approved a lease agreement with the Kramers to establish a restaurant in the alley, a public park that city leaders envision as a cultural hub downtown. Planning and permitting delays have led to multiple extensions on the lease agreement, including the most recent extension granted in July.
In August, the Kramers began construction of an outdoor patio in the alley in preparation of a soft opening on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
“We’ve had such positive feedback,” David Kramer said of the patio, “so we’re really excited about it.”
The patio, however, raised concerns at the city. According to officials, the patio encroaches on a neighboring lease, blocks access to the alley for cleaning equipment, is not ADA accessible and doesn’t provide enough space for emergency evacuation.
The council voted 3-2 Tuesday to give the restaurant until Monday, Sept. 11, to relocate the patio.
The Kramers, meanwhile, say they have been waiting for the city to remove several planters taking up about 120 square feet of the dining space.
Carl Baker, city spokesman, said the city has not agreed to remove the planters, which house electrical and irrigation equipment. The planters would be expensive to remove, Baker said.
The council has set an Oct. 31 deadline for operations to begin and requested the owners submit copies of floor plans, health permits, pay citations and ensure all onsite improvements are in compliance with code regulations or face losing their lease agreement.
“The City Council is committed to businesses being successful in our community and this is certainly one that we hope would be successful as we develop Orange Street Alley,” Mayor Paul Foster said Tuesday. “However, with this particular property owner we’ve had some significant difficulties.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, Foster and Councilman Eddie Tejeda expressed concern over interactions between city officials and the Kramers.
Arin Kramer said she and her husband have been 100 percent compliant with the city’s requests. On Thursday, she said she was hurt by the city’s characterization of the situation.
“They can continue to attack our integrity and destroy our credibility as people,” she said. “They can continue to not mention how they have been culpable in our major setbacks and cover it by saying we’re difficult to work with, but we get back up every time and push forward to give Redlands a new dining experience.”
Once open, Copehouse will serve cocktails using house-made ingredients as well as high-end scotch and whiskey.
Chef Rachel Rechou, formerly with the Arrowhead Country Club, has been working since May on the restaurant’s menu, which includes lobster nachos, shrimp tacos, bison burgers, steaks and salads.
David Kramer expressed hope that the issues with the city will be resolved soon.
“In business, tensions get high. Things get misinterpreted. People get frustrated,” he said. “I know they’re probably frustrated with me just like I’m frustrated. I still believe we want the same goal. I still believe we want to bring something really unique to downtown Redlands and that’s what we’re ready to do.”