Lakeland Linder International Airport’s restaurant, WACO Kitchen, notified officials on Monday that they are temporarily but indefinitely closing, a move that comes two months before passenger service is scheduled to begin at the airport.
The airport’s website and Facebook page posted a notice about the kitchen’s closure on Monday, with patrons showing up for lunch on Tuesday disappointed that they would not be dining there.
WACO Kitchen was originally founded by aviation enthusiast Dieter Morszeck and opened in summer 2022. The Lakeland restaurant was Dimor Eats LLC’s second, following the opening of their location in Battle Creek, Mich.
Morszeck did extensive renovations on the restaurant, adding new flooring, booths, lighting and staff.
WACO (pronounced WAH-co) Kitchen offered a fine-dining experience, with a full bar and a farm-to-table menu that included roasted salmon, apple-brined pork chops with apple jam, a New York strip steak, gourmet burgers, flatbread pizza and salads. There was also a menu for “future aviators” that included burgers, pizza, chicken and their version of mac-n-cheese: cavatappi noodles mixed with a house white cheese sauce.
But it was apparent in mid-March that something was amiss when patrons could not order cocktails with their dinner. A member of the wait staff said there was an issue with their liquor license, but that they had hoped to have everything worked out in time for the Sun ‘n Fun air exhibition in April. They did not.
The Ledger reported a jumbled roadmap of ownership, subsidiaries and potential partnerships.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Dimor Eats LLC, which leases space on the second floor of the terminal building at the airport.
Airport Director Kris Hallstrand received an email on April 19 from attorney Juergen Ostertag, who represents Dimor Group Inc., a subsidiary of Dimor Aero based in Cologne, Germany.
Flying Magazine reported that Dimor Aero bought Michigan-based Waco Aircraft Company in 2018.
Ostertag informed Hallstrand that Dimor Group does not have any business affiliation with Dimor Eats, according to his email to airport officials.
“Sole manager and member of Dimor Eats LLC is Sven Lepschy whereas the ultimate owner of the Dimor group of companies is Dieter Morszeck,” Ostertag wrote.
A 2023 document filed with the Florida Division of Corporations was signed by Ostertag as an “authorized person” of Dimor Eats LLC.
Ostertag said in his letter that it was intended for Dimor Eats and its restaurant business to become a part of Dimor Group’s companies, but that did not materialize during recent negotiations.
LAKELAND AIRPORT
WACO’s kitchen staff was employed by Dimor Real Estate LLC, another subsidiary of Dimor Group. Ostertag told city officials that all the employees received termination notices on Sunday, effective immediately.
“It will be Sven Lepschy’s decision whether to continue the operation of the restaurant at the Lakeland Airport,” Ostertag concluded.
Airport officials said they are currently working with Dimor Eats LLC to obtain additional details. They noted that Dimor Eats LLC entered into an agreement with the city on November 1, 2021, to provide food and beverage services at the airport. They are currently in violation of that contract and have 10 days to resume service.
After 10 days, airport officials plan to begin looking for a new restaurant vendor, TV station 10 Tampa Bay reported.
The airport’s Facebook page was filled with suggestions, with many people saying the airport needs a restaurant with reasonable prices for people with hangars there and also for aviators who fly in and out of Lakeland. Many people in the aviation community will fly to other airports just to have a meal before returning home. Some suggested a sandwich shop or diner with simple food.
“The restaurant needs to cater to breakfast and lunch with reasonable wait times and prices. But then they could offer dinner on the weekends,” said Jo Upton, adding that she and her husband have a hangar at the airport. “Frescos did well at Sun ‘n Fun and had offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner —they would be an awesome replacement for Waco!”
Upton praised Winter Haven Airport’s restaurant, Flightline Café and Catering.
“Maybe they could at least have some food trucks going out there while we wait for Waco Kitchen to re-open?” Upton said. “I feel sorry for all of the employees in and around LAL that have very few food options—and now we have hundreds of homes and (apartments) being built all around as well! We need more restaurants and fast food offering along Drane Field Road and Pipkin, as well as County Line!”
Randy Stokes said he enjoyed the restaurant when it first opened.
“Unfortunately when the new management company took over they lost their liquor license and the food went downhill,” Stokes said. “Prior to that, Waco was an awesome place!”
This is the second restaurant to close at the airport in recent years. Hallback’s Bar & Grill operated there, but closed in 2021 after multiple issues, including staffing only two waitresses during Sun ‘n Fun’s Saturday afternoon show that year, forcing military airplane mechanics and performers to wait for more than an hour for food and drinks. Hallback’s did, however, operate a popular Saturday night dinner and dance.
It is unclear when, if ever, WACO Kitchen will reopen. Efforts to reach Morszeck were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon. A call to Dimor Eats LLC’s listed manager, Sven Lepschy, was not returned Wednesday evening.
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