AIRPORT RESTAURANT VIEWED A LOSING CAUSE BY COUNCIL

The city of Cape Girardeau wants to cut its losses and bid the operation of the airport restaurant.

The city staff, with the City Council's blessing, plans to advertise for bids for the operation of the Runway Restaurant & Lounge at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Operation of the airport restaurant was just one of many budget items discussed Saturday by the Cape Girardeau City Council during the second and final day of its retreat at Black Forest.

The city has been losing money since it began operating the restaurant in the renovated airport terminal in mid-August.

City financial records show that the restaurant has been grounded in losses totaling more than $55,000. The restaurant has had net sales of just over $23,000, while expenses have totaled about $78,000.

"If we break even, we would be doing good," City Manager J. Ronald Fischer.

Assistant City Manager Doug Leslie said the city has adjusted restaurant hours and has operated the place with three employees: a full-time cook, a waitress and a manager.

But Leslie said the restaurant hasn't attracted enough customers to break even financially. "The airport is kind of off the beaten path."

The terminal building previously had a restaurant that was privately operated. The privately operated restaurant never attracted a large number of customers and the city-run facility isn't doing so either.

Still, city officials think that could change if more employees of nearby Nash Road businesses start eating there and airport traffic picks up because of riverboat gambling.

City officials said a riverboat casino in Caruthersville and one planned for Cape Girardeau could result in more people flying into and out of the airport.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the city might offer free rent and utilities in exchange for letting a private business operate the restaurant.

Councilman Richard Eggimann said the city shouldn't be in the food business.