Airport Cafe

On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 04:26:33 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

All the way back to Iowa City I couldn't help but ponder the strange
attraction that airport cafes have for the best of people, even for those
who no longer fly.

Great post Jay,

I keep telling my wife, when we retire, that I would love to open a cafe.
The market is there, no question about it.

I love to fly, she loves to cook, I love to hangar fly, she loves talking
with people, which in my opinion would be a win - win situation.

My biggest disappointment for my $100 burger runs, is that most cafes are
closed on weekends. I hope to change that in my corner of the world, when
my turn comes.

Allen

I keep telling my wife, when we retire, that I would love to open a cafe.
The market is there, no question about it.

I don't know what the business situation is where you live, but here in
Central Ohio, 50% of the new restaurants don't last one year.

On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 01:34:25 GMT, john smith wrote:

I keep telling my wife, when we retire, that I would love to open a cafe.
The market is there, no question about it.

I don't know what the business situation is where you live, but here in
Central Ohio, 50% of the new restaurants don't last one year.

Hey John,

Suffice it to say, it would be a supplement to my retirement. My own
airport only has vending machines. Per airnav.com

Aircraft operations: avg 148/day
54% local general aviation
46% transient general aviation
1% military

That's a lot of traffic, which includes corporate jets and king airs. So,
I would have a very interested market at my own airport. We get a lot of
weekend warriors that fly in. Lets also talk about the hangar flyers that
show up 7:00 in the morning for their cup of coffee. Lots of potential to
say the least.

Location, naturally is everything. If I look at HKS (Class D airport),
they average the following per airnav.com

Aircraft operations: avg 171/day
51% local general aviation
37% transient general aviation
6% military
6% air taxi

So, I have 2 airports I can consider within 10 miles of where I live.

Personally, I wouldn't want a full scale restaurant, just something where
pilots can come in, get something decent home cooked food to eat and fly
away to return another date. It sure would beat vending machines!

Allen

Personally, I wouldn't want a full scale restaurant, just something where
pilots can come in, get something decent home cooked food to eat and fly
away to return another date. It sure would beat vending machines!

Okay, Allen, let me throw this at you...
A friend of mine just "retired" from running the Barnstormer Restaurant
at KOSU/Don Scott Field, The Ohio State University Airport.
He took over the operation after two previous operators, experienced in
the restaurant business locally, declined to renew their operating lease
with the airport.
Decide what hours you are going to be open.
Breakfast (for the corporates and GA), lunch (for the GA crowd), or
dinner (aviation and general public)?
Is this to be a "mom & pop" place?
Who is going to take over if mom and/or pop get sick or have to take
care of something else?
This is a business that requires long hours. Don't count on having time
to get away to go flying.

This is a business that requires long hours. Don't count on having time
to get away to go flying.

True enough. But if you're doing what you love to do, it's no longer
"work"...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:YhdYe.356690$_o.112487@attbi_s71...
This is a business that requires long hours. Don't count on having time
to get away to go flying.

True enough. But if you're doing what you love to do, it's no longer
"work"...

And when you can combine the two (work you love, and flying) it's just short
of heaven.


--
Matt

---------------------
Matthew W. Barrow
Site-Fill Homes, LLC.
Montrose, CO

On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 04:09:07 GMT, john smith wrote:

A friend of mine just "retired" from running the Barnstormer Restaurant
at KOSU/Don Scott Field, The Ohio State University Airport.
He took over the operation after two previous operators, experienced in
the restaurant business locally, declined to renew their operating lease
with the airport.

Hi John,

Appreciate your input!

Decide what hours you are going to be open.
Breakfast (for the corporates and GA), lunch (for the GA crowd), or
dinner (aviation and general public)?

I want to cater to GA. Corporate would only be a "bonus".

Like Jay said in another post, the airport must be easily accessible to the
public and both airports in mind are very easy, MBO being much easier.
Plenty of morning regulars come in for their morning coffee.

Is this to be a "mom & pop" place?

Mom and pop place. I would envision regulars coming in and pilots being
the secondary though I would cater to pilots as best as possible. I want
it to be personable, and relaxed. My wife makes a mean bread pudding and
peach cobbler *smile*, and pastries. I have to watch my weight and
balances if I am not too careful

Who is going to take over if mom and/or pop get sick or have to take
care of something else?

It's not my primary income, so I won't be depending on the income. Like
Jay said, it's for the love of doing what I want to do.

If we can't make it, then the "closed sign" goes up. With my wife and my
work history in our current jobs, that sign won't be up too often.

This is a business that requires long hours. Don't count on having time
to get away to go flying.

Breakfast and lunch is all I am looking at. Nothing more, nothing less.
I'd envision breakfast foods more then lunch foods, as I am like Jay, I am
a morning warrior, and rather eat a good breakfast.

Allen

Location, naturally is everything. If I look at HKS (Class D airport),
they average the following per airnav.com

This is one reason we have considered a restaurant to be an essential part
of our long term plans, even though we know NOTHING of the restaurant
business. (Of course, ignorance didn't stop us from buying an old hotel!
:-)

The Iowa City airport is unique in that it is within walking distance of the
city proper. (Of course, that will probably lead to its ultimate demise,
but let's hope that's far in the future...) Since the key to a successful
airport restaurant is that it MUST be able to draw non-pilots, the airport
location is simply outstanding.

Anyone interested in Iowa City as a restaurant location? It would be a
natural with our inn.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

Anyone interested in Iowa City as a restaurant location? It would be a
natural with our inn.

You might see if one of the Katrina evacuees is interested. Perhaps you could
partner with an experienced restauranteer.

George Patterson
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks.

("George Patterson" wrote)
You might see if one of the Katrina evacuees is interested. Perhaps you
could partner with an experienced restauranteer.


Alexis Park Inn and Suites
....we have crabs!


Montblack
On the Upper Mississippi carp are called carp :-)