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Pete Paidar has worked hard to create a better image of the Forest Laker since he purchased the business in 1996. Focusing on community involvment through hosting events and sponsoring teams, Paidar has brought the bar and restaurant’s reputation back to that of its first days as the Forest Laker in the 1970s.

Paidar knew when he bought the place in 1996 that its reputation was a little rough. It was known as more of a tough biker bar than a neighborhood hangout.

He decided to change the name back to the Forest Laker as the first step toward improving its image.

Paidar also began diligently promoting the business as not only a comfortable gathering spot where friends could meet to have a few drinks, but reminding customers that they could come for a good meal at a reasonable price in the restaurant.

He feels he has succeeded in transforming the Forest Laker back into what it once was, but the success of the business has led to a dilemma that every business owner wants to face – the Laker is out of space.

Paidar said between the teams the business sponsors and the various dart and pool leagues held there every week, there aren’t very many seats left for the customers who walk in looking for a good meal.

Besides running out of room, the Forest Laker has another challenge – the building itself.

While structurally sound, the 1892 building shows some of its age. “It’s well kept-up and clean, but it will always look old, there’s nothing we can do about that,” Paidar said.

So with those two challenges in mind, he launched an ambitious project along with project general manager Como Pontliana, who has more than 20 years of restaurant management experience.

The expansion and remodeling of the Forest Laker will bring it from a modest-sized restaurant and small bar area to a three-story building housing four unique establishments under one name.

First, the bar area will be expanded toward the back of the existing main floor and the ceiling above will be taken out to expose more bar area on a mezzanine level. This third floor will be a traditional sports bar, with pool tables, video games and dart boards.

On the main floor, the stage and dance floor will be moved to the back of the building allowing for a much-needed expansion of both areas.

The next phase comes when an additional 2,000 square-feet are wrapped around all three stories of the building around the north and east sides.

The expansion will allow for brand-new restroom facilities, which Paidar believes women patrons in particular will appreciate. “The women’s rooms are one-third bigger than the men’s with full-length mirrors and counter space,” he said.

The main level restaurant will be transformed into more of a formal-looking dining room. Paidar envisions it as a place where local business people will want to bring their clients and people will want to celebrate special occasions.

The decor will center around Forest Lake history and the menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be expanded. Paidar said after spending time in New York City and growing up in Chicago, he envisions the restaurant being known as a great steakhouse.

Traditional bar fare will still be served in the bar area for those customers who simply want a burger or appetizers.

Paidar knows the restaurant has become recognized for its great food, particularly with the expertise of head chef Larry Jiles and he is confident that an expanded more upscale menu in the dining room is something missing in the Forest Lake area.

The lower level, which is sunken about three feet now, will be expanded out into the existing parking lot. The new area will feature a sunken garden patio and a cocktail lounge which Paidar is already referring to as “The Office.”

He took the garden patio idea from a restaurant in Minneapolis and wants people to be surrounded by ponds, waterfalls and flagstone walls until they forget they’re sitting where a parking lot used to be.

The central level dining room will also feature outdoor seating with a deck and on the top floor, a porch for more outdoor dining in a northwoods theme. Both the porch and the dining room will be non-smoking areas.

Paidar said he hopes it will bring customers from Forest Lake back to the Forest Laker, but is also thinking bigger. “I’m targeting a 30-mile radius because there’s really nothing like this around,” he said. “We want to be the superstore of the bar and restaurant business with a sports bar, dining room and cocktail bar all in one place.”

The business will also be able to feature live entertainment seven days a week, expanding from six days a week currently.

Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the project were held Nov. 29 and Paidar said the entire project should be complete June 1.

Meanwhile, the Forest Laker will remain open for business, offering construction specials throughout the process. Paidar even hopes to have a “tear-down” event where he invites customers to come in and help take down the old walls.

When the expansion is complete, Paidar anticipates nearly tripling the amount of employees at the Forest Laker to around 70 employees.

Paidar also has made a commitment to provide community support, sponsoring several upcoming events for local charitable groups.

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