Tim Weiss, longtime owner of The Original Gabe’s by the Park, has sold his St. Paul bar and restaurant to brothers Dan, Rick and Kevin Montpetit.

The trio took over the spot (991 N. Lexington Parkway, St. Paul; 651-646-3066; gabesmn.com) this week.

Weiss, who also runs Giggles Campfire Grill at the Minnesota State Fair, said the move will free up time to expand the Giggles brand.

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Documentary on women in the restaurant business now streaming “I’m not retiring. They say the State Fair is a three-month thing, but it’s pretty much turned into a full-time job nine months out of the year,” Weiss said, adding that he also wanted more time to spend with his family and to travel. “We rent out so much between weddings and reunions, bar mitzvahs. And we have a couple of other irons in the fire.”

The original owners opened Gabe’s in the mid-1970s. Weiss took over the spot in 1989. He has run Gabe’s for since then, with the exception of a period of five or six years when the bar and restaurant was under new ownership until Weiss took it over again.

Weiss has a long history with the Montpetit family. He started in the food and beverage business as a sales rep for the brothers’ grandfather at Billy Boy Juice. After that, Weiss was a bartender when their father ran Tiffany Sports Lounge.

“I want these kids to do well. I’m doing everything in my power to make it work for them,” Weiss said. “Their grandfather first gave me a chance. Maybe I’m just paying back the favor.”

The new owners are not new to the restaurant business. Kevin and Rick most recently worked as bartenders at Shamrock’s Irish Nook, and Dan at Emmett’s Public House in St. Paul. They had been looking for a space to open a bar and restaurant for awhile when this opportunity came along.

“We don’t want to come in here and turn this into something that is unrecognizable,” said Rick Montpetit. “We’re going to make improvements on things that might need improving and make sure everyone has a great experience in a fun, family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere.”

Montpetit said the name of the restaurant will remain. And while they do not plan on any drastic changes to Gabe’s, new menu items will be introduced in the next few weeks. The owners also want to make improvements for viewing and seating for games.

“We want to be known as a spot to come and watch the game,” Montpetit said.