The Paw and the adjacent Cyberdog Caf, the Riverside-Brookfield High School-run restaurant and coffee shop were closed almost two weeks ago and may never reopen, according to school officials.

The Paw, which is owned and operated by Riverside-Brookfield High School, was opened three years ago as student-run project as part of the school’s entrepreneurship program. But the sandwich and coffee shop has not been able to turn a profit or even break even.

Just a year ago, RB Superintendent/Principal Jack Baldermann predicted the restaurants would close unless they received an emergency infusion of cash in the form of grants. The Paw won a reprieve courtesy of a $25,000 anonymous donation last fall and a $50,000 anonymous grant last February. But its future remained murky, and the entreprenuership program was dropped last year as officials charted a future for the venture.

But now it appears The Paw will not reopen unless a deal can be worked out with a private company to take over the management of the restaurant.

“We’re trying to negotiate a deal with a private party to take over the management,” said Baldermann. “We’re probably going to keep it closed until we can get someone to manage it.”

The Paw has lost money except for a couple of months throughout its existence, Baldermann said.

“In June, The Paw lost close to $2,000,” said Baldermann, adding that it lost money throughout the summer.

The student-run Paw was originally conceived as a project of RB’s entrepreneurship program. The business plan was created by students and The Paw has also provided jobs to special education students at RB.

“It’s been profitable from a learning and educational standard,” said Baldermann.

But like any business it must run a profit, or at least break even, to stay in business, Baldermann added.

“It’s hard to make it as a business,” said Baldermann.

District 208 school board President Larry Herbst said that the district is negotiating with two businesses that might take over the management of The Paw and that the school board is unwilling to continue to subsidize the Paw.

“It’s just too expensive right now,” said Herbst. “We’re cutting our expenses to a minimum, and I’m hoping one of these guys step forward to open it again.”

The lease for the space The Paw rents at 8420 Brookfield Ave. in Brookfield is $2,500 a month, according to District 208 Business Manager John Gibson and the lease runs until May of 2007.

“I kind of doubt we would renew the lease,” said Baldermann.