Waco's Ghost Haunts the Halls of Lakeland Linder

Last June, officials in Lakeland, Florida put up a seemingly enticing posting for food service at the Lakeland Linder International Airport - but so far, nobody seems interested in taking on the location.

Airport concessions, famously expensive in the course of most passenger's travel, should be a gold mine to most restaurateurs, or so one would think - but nobody came calling for the Lakeland spot. Linder is set to get some small scale commercial operations again, now that Avelo Airlines has committed to flying into town a couple times a week.

Originally, Waco Kitchen was set up in the terminal there, but apparently business wasn't even good enough to stick it out and regain control of their equipment: The city evicted the Dimor Eats, LLC brand last May. The brand's behavior raised more than a few eyebrows, when it unceremoniously ceased operations with little warning, for its very expensive Lakeland location among others.

The city said that their stuff is still in their hands, too, leaving the disposal of "abandoned" property as a standout item on their to-do list. 

That could be a boon to new restaurateurs looking to get into the game, since their new location is already pretty nicely spruced up courtesy of Waco kitchen.

"We're looking for someone who is willing to come out and give the airport an opportunity," Airport Director Kris Hallstrand said. "It's a tight environment and it's difficult. Restaurants are closing all the time, so the deal has to be right."

FMI: www.procurement.opengov.com