Dear Mystic Aquarium Community, Mystic Aquarium Announces Partnership with Lancer Hospitality
Beginning on March 15, 2019, Lancer Hospitality (www.lancerhospitality.com) will assume responsibility for the café service operations at Mystic Aquarium.
Lancer has a proven record of success with other similar institutions throughout the United States. Under this agreement, Lancer will make substantial new investments in our food service operation including renovation of the existing café and seating areas, as well as menu changes and additions. Public expectations regarding food and related amenities are rapidly changing based on our research and experience. Retention of Lancer Hospitality will allow Mystic Aquarium to better anticipate trends and to make necessary investments in this important area of our operation.
Ocean Blue Catering will continue to operate as our independent catering company, providing exclusive catering services at Mystic Aquarium and at the Mystic Yachting Center for internal and external customers. The café and all food kiosks for the general public will be operated by Lancer Hospitality. All current employees of Ocean Blue Catering including those serving the café exclusively are eligible to be retained.
Lancer Hospitality will make some initial investments in the physical facility prior to Memorial Day 2019. More extensive renovations and construction will occur in early 2020. Employees and Volunteers will continue to receive a 25% discount on food and beverage purchases. Members will continue to receive a 10% discount on food and beverage purchases.
Lancer Hospitality and Ocean Blue Catering will be reporting directly to me, and, the Mystic Aquarium Sales and Reservations team will be reporting to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rob Constable. Both of these changes will be effective immediately.
We are delighted to be partnering with Lancer Hospitality. During our negotiations we have found them to share our institutional values with regard to caring for guests, employees and volunteers, as well as in their desire to help us advance our focus on diversity and on conservation of the environment through the food service operation.
Thank you,
Larry Rivarde, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
(860) 572-5955 x 180
(504) 329-2332
lrivarde@mysticaquarium.org
