Lakeland airport prepares to evict Waco Kitchen, claims high interest in restaurant space
It's been a tough go for restaurants at Lakeland Linder International Airport, but there's a ripe opportunity for a restaurateur who is willing to take the risk.
Kris Hallstrand, Lakeland's airport director, told city commissioners the airport has started taking the legal steps necessary to evict Waco Kitchen after the restaurant suspended its operations last month.
"We are in the process," she said.
Hallstrand said city staff has sent a notice to Waco Kitchen's operator, DiMor Eats LLC, to comply with the terms of its lease agreement for the 5,300-square-foot restaurant space. Under its lease, Waco Kitchen was required as the tenant to serve at least one meal per day, at least six days a week.
The restaurant has not been up and running since April 21. The city received an email from Attorney Juergen R. Ostertag, representing Dimor Group Inc., a Colonge, Germany-based subsidiary of Dimor Aero, stating it was not associated with the restaurant's operator and would be issuing an immediate termination notice to all the restaurant's employees.
The city also issued a five-day notice to the restaurant's ownership to comply with its lease and restart operations, Hallstrand said, without a response.
The city is in the process of drafting a request for proposals, calling for anyone interested in operating a restaurant at the airport to submit proposed plans. Hallstrand said she and Assistant Airport Director Adam Lunn have fielded calls from about 50 interested parties.
Unfortunately, because of the time needed to seek proposals, Hallstrand said a new restaurant will not be up and operating before Avelo Airlines is scheduled to begin service to New Haven, Connecticut, in June.
Hallstrand floated the idea of having a few food trucks parked outside the airport to offer a few options for the city's first commercial airline passengers.
"Anytime there is a challenge, it is an opportunity," she said. "Challenges are opportunities, we will move forward."
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland airport moves to evict Waco Kitchen, looks for new operator
