Perkins in Cottage Grove reopens after major remodel

• Inside Perkins

Perkins Associate Manager Andrew Jeske leads customers to a table on a recent morning. The restaurant was remodeled recently. Bulletin photo by Scott Wente
• Perkins exterior

The Perkins in Cottage Grove received new signage, an exterior paint job and parking lot improvements as part of a remodel. Bulletin photo by Scott Wente

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A revamped Perkins restaurant in Cottage Grove could give customers a glimpse at what all of the chain’s locations will look like.

The local restaurant recently completed a remodeling project that spiffed up the exterior of the building as well as the lobby and dining areas inside.

The Cottage Grove location was the first in the country to receive both an interior and exterior remodel simultaneously, said Nate Raway, the local restaurant’s general manager. The restaurant closed for four days to allow for construction and reopened on June 15.

“Everything you see as a guest is new,” he said.

New signs adorn the exterior of the building at 7165 East Point Douglas Road. The outside of the building was repainted. The aging parking lot asphalt is being resurfaced.

Inside, customers will find a brighter lobby and dining area. Tile was added to the floor and walls in the lobby. New lighting fixtures hang throughout the dining area. Carpeting was replaced. A wall that divided the dining room was removed, providing a more spacious appearance. Walls were painted. New artwork was added to the walls. Some booths were removed and replaced with tables. The restaurant added some chairs while retaining the same number of tables.

The redesign offers a more contemporary look and will be replicated at other locations, Raway said.

There was another big change to the local Perkins. In March, the restaurant went from franchise ownership to corporate ownership.

“Really, they’re just trying to change our image in Cottage Grove,” Raway said.

While there has been little turnover in the 40-some employees, workers did receive new training.

The restaurant is “under new ownership and attempting to change everything for the better,” Raway said.

Perkins also changed its menu about a month ago, but that was planned and not part of the construction improvements.

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