A proposed new lease for the Washougal waterfront’s only floating restaurant should be seen as a “case study” and an example of how the Port of Camas-Washougal plans to reexamine agreements with current tenants going forward, port leaders say. But the owners of the Puffin Cafe say the lease increases the monthly rent too much, too soon — and doesn’t offer the long-term security they need.
During an Aug. 6 workshop, port Business Development Director Derek Jaeger revealed the terms of a new lease that more than doubles the Puffin Cafe’s current monthly rent over the next six months in an effort to “adjust to market rates.”
“I think you guys can be the perfect test case for us,” Commissioner John Spencer told Puffin Cafe owners Robert and Jennifer Guetter during the meeting. “The way I’m looking at this is, we’ve got to bring your rent up; that makes total sense. But you also need help. I would love to see us brainstorm and provide resources.”…