VALPARAISO — Valet parking is coming to downtown restaurants, along with a concierge service.
Two Valparaiso University students have gotten the city permission they needed for their Prime Parking Solutions.
Grant Bell and Mark Crook plan to begin the first week of January with one restaurant, Stacks Bar & Grill, 175 W. Lincolnway, and they hope to have three more restaurants on board by March.
The Board of Works last week gave the business permission to reserve a parking space in front of Napoleon Center for their stand on weekends.
Prime Parking Solutions can also use specific places in underused city lots, although they’ll use the Porter County garage and spaces in some private lots — all far from the prime street parking.
“All the parking on Lincolnway will still be available to patrons,” said Crook, a sophomore from Dyer majoring in business finance.
Valparaiso Economic Development Director Patrick Lyp said the permissions are on a one-year trial basis.
“This’ll be a good thing,” said Lyp. “It’ll enhance the dining experience of the downtown.”
The idea grew, as Bell, who graduates this month with a political science major and business minor, worked in Pikk’s Tavern, 62 W. Lincolnway.
“As a bartender, all I hear is ‘I have to walk five to six blocks to get here,” said Bell, who is from Anaheim Hills, California.
Their survey showed restaurant customers in busy times far exceed convenient parking spaces.
With Central Park expanding and taking away about 50 parking spots behind Stack’s, “We realized this is going to be an issue as the city begins to grow,” Bell said.
Stack’s owner Art Georgian expressed interest in valet parking without knowing Bell and Crook already had plans.
The service will run from 5 p.m. to about 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday with red-jacketed valets at heated stands with canopies to protect patrons from the weather.
It will cost $6 with a validation from Stack’s or $15. And for customers who have too much to drink, Prime Parking will hold vehicles overnight for an additional fee and call a cab.
A $40 monthly card gives customers unlimited parking and expedited service, plus the service will have VIP spaces.
Valets will also guide patrons to special events, know restaurants’ evening specials and know which restaurants have waits.
Bell said people often go to the restaurant closest to where they park to check those things.
Prime parking will also market downtown restaurants and events and have pamphlets for people.
They are hiring Valparaiso University interns to help with marketing, sales and business development.
Crook and Bell believe their business will work because the downtown is an area where people dress up and spend $100 or more for an evening.
“Valpo is becoming a destination, an upscale dining experience for couples,” Bell said. “I think a lot of towns around here want what Valpo has.”