With less than two months until Avero Airlines is scheduled to launch its first commercial flight from Lakeland Linder International Airport, Lakeland officials announced Monday afternoon that the airport's only food outlet will temporarily close.
The expected date for service resumption has not been determined.
Waco Kitchen opened in August 2022 on the second floor of the airport. The city had signed a lease for the 5,300-square-foot space with its operating company, Dimor Eats LLC, in November 2021.
On Friday, Airport Director Chris Hallstrand received an email from attorney Jürgen R. Ostertag, who represents Dimor Group Inc., a subsidiary of Dimor Aero, based in Cologne, Germany.
Dimor Aero acquired Michigan-based Waco Aircraft Company in November 2018, Flying Magazine reported.
Ostertag told city officials that the Dimol Group, which owns Waco Aircraft, has no business partnership with Dimol Eats LLC, which operated the airport restaurant.
According to SunBiz.org, Dimor Eats LLC is a Tallahassee-based registered corporate services company under manager Sven Lepschy.
Ostertag said it is the intention for Dimol Eats and its restaurant business to become part of the Dimol Group of companies. However, there was no business connection.
“Unfortunately, negotiations for a company in the Dimor group to take over the restaurant have failed,” Ostertag wrote in an April 19 email.
The Ledger has contacted Mr. Ostertag to learn more about the cause of the deal's failure.
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Waco Kitchen's staff was employed by Dimor Real Estate LLC, which is owned by Dimor Group. Ostertag said notices of termination were served on all employees on Sunday and are effective immediately.
“The decision to continue operating the restaurant at Lakeland Airport is Sven Lepsy's decision,” Ostertag wrote.
The Ledger attempted to contact Lepsy but did not immediately receive a response.
Waco Kitchen's 4COP license, which allows it to serve beer, wine and hard liquor, is registered to Lepsy under Dimor Eats, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation's website. The license expiration date is listed as March 31, 2024, but it is currently marked as valid.
Waco Kitchen's main phone number, 863-583-4004, was not answered during regular business hours Monday. The recording showed that voicemail was not set up for the line.
Under its lease agreement with the city, Waco Kitchen is required to operate a food and beverage facility as a tenant and serve at least one meal per day for lunch, at least six days a week. If a restaurant does not serve lunch on Sunday or Monday, it is in violation of its contract with the city.
News of Waco Kitchen's closure and possible long-term closure comes less than a month after Avero announced it would begin commercial flights to New Haven, Conn., in June. There is also the possibility of leaving the airport without meal service.
Sarah Megan Walsh ise Contact us at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. X Follow @SaraWalshFl.
