COLUMBUS, Ohio — 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant, a restaurant known for its historic relics and view of incoming and departing air traffic at Port Columbus Airport, will permanently close its doors this weekend after being in business since 1980.
The owners of the aviation-themed restaurant in Columbus announced that they are officially closing its doors on June 18 after coming up on the end of their lease. A message was posted to the restaurant's website saying that the owners have decided to explore other opportunities.
The restaurant's building, built 43 years ago, was made to look like a 1917 French farmhouse filled with military memorabilia and aviation relics depicting the times of the World War I and World War II era.
In a statement posted to the website, the owners wrote, "Please know this decision came with a great deal of thought (and tears). We have loved our time at the 94th Aero Squadron and so appreciate each and every customer and staff member that we have had the privilege of knowing over the past 30 years."
General Manager Margaret Gundelfinger said, "We're not going quietly into the night." She added that the owners wanted to give advance notice so visitors had plenty of time to come back and say their goodbyes.
Gundelfinger said since the announcement people have traveled several states over to say one last goodbye to the well-known establishment.
Friday dance night at the 94th brought in dozens of people. Many of the customers said they are frequent visitors and attend the event held every Friday to dance to 70s music.
“The dance floor is packed every Friday night,” Gundelfinger said. “Everybody knows everybody and it just has a real homey feel.”
One couple at the event, Victoria Bell Ford and Tom Ford, said the restaurant is where they fell in love. They’ve been going to the restaurant for the past two years and said they enjoy the oldies music and dancing.
“We first started dancing together here and then we got engaged and then we got married,” Victoria said.
The couple said they'll be looking for anther place where they can go to sing and dance that feels the same.