KLAX Restaurant Back In Negotiations With Airport Officials For A New Lease

The Proud Bird restaurant, a fixture for decades at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), was due to close its doors Thursday after failing to come to terms with airport managers for a lease for the eatery.

But due to what was described by the Los Angeles Times as an "outpouring of support" for the restaurant and its owner and founder, John Tallichet, the business has been given a reprieve for at least a month while Tallichet negotiates with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).

LAWA and city hall had told Tallichet that his rent would be increasing by $300,000 per year in accordance with federal laws requiring them to charge rent based on fair market value. The city also has passed a "living wage" boosting the minimum wage for workers to $16 per hour.

Consultants have said that there are some ways to get around the laws, such as granting an easement to a museum for the area where the restaurants iconic static display of historic airplanes is located. The parking lot, reported to be very large, could also be rented out by the city on an as-needed basis for additional terminal parking.

While the negotiations are continuing, the restaurant will continue be a hangout for aerospace enthusiasts until at least December 21.

FMI: www.theproudbird.com, www.lawa.org/welcomelawa.aspx