It's a tough time for restaurants at Lakeland Linder International Airport, but it's a ripe opportunity for restaurateurs willing to take the risk.
Lakeland Airport Director Chris Hallstrand told city commissioners that the airport began taking the necessary legal steps to vacate Waco Kitchen after the restaurant ceased operations last month.
“We are in the process,” she said.
Hallstrand said city staff sent a notice to Waco Kitchen's operator, Dimor Eats LLC, to comply with the terms of the lease for the 5,300-square-foot restaurant space. The lease agreement required Waco Kitchen, as a tenant, to provide him with at least one meal per day, at least six days a week.
The restaurant has been closed since April 21st. The city received an email from attorney Jürgen R. Ostertag, who represents Dimol Group, a subsidiary of Dimol Aero, based in Colombe, Germany, stating that the company is not affiliated with the restaurant operator. received. The company plans to issue immediate termination notices to all restaurant employees.
Hallstrand said the city gave the restaurant owner five days' notice to comply with the lease and reopen, but received no response.
The city is currently in the process of creating a request for proposals, calling on those interested in operating a restaurant at the airport to submit plans. Hallstrand and Airport Director Adam Lunn said they fielded calls from about 50 interested parties.
Unfortunately, because of the time it takes to find proposals, the new restaurant likely won't be open and operating by June, when Avero Airlines plans to launch service to New Haven, Conn., Hallstrand said. Ta.
Hallstrand floated the idea of parking several food trucks outside the airport to provide some options for passengers on the city's first commercial airline.
“Whenever there is a challenge, it is an opportunity,” she said. “Challenges are opportunities, and we move forward.”
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. X Follow @SaraWalshFl.
