Studio D Catering will take over the vacant restaurant at Jamestown Airport.Photo by Gregory Bacon
After years of being vacant, Chautauqua County Airport in Jamestown will soon have new business.
At last week’s county council meeting, Studio D Catering was granted permission to rent the Jamestown Airport restaurant facility for $500 a month starting today. The lease is valid for six months.
Studio D Catering is owned by Diana Scott of Mayville. In a letter to the legislature, Scott noted that she has been in business since 2015. In 2021, she lost her lease on her downtown Jamestown location.
She likes the location of 313 Airport Dr.. in Ellicott Town.
“We believe Jamestown Airport Restaurant will be a great fit for us to expand our private catering, starting to provide packed breakfast and lunch to over 150 employees within a 3-mile radius of the airport, to local small businesses and artisans at the 716-themed gift shop, for private dining Gatherings and our own special events create unique event spaces,” Scott wrote.
Scott points out that Studio D Catering has always been “The Power of Generosity and Hospitality” Since its launch seven years ago.They have extensive catering experience, operating food trucks and hosting multiple community events “And donate generously to our local shelters and emergency service providers.”
Before the vote, county airport manager Shannon Barnhart said she supported Studio D Catering’s request.
“We are delighted to have someone who already has a good reputation in the community,” she says.
R-Fredonia lawmaker Bob Scudder said he favors leases. “It’s really exciting. It’s great to see businesses coming into the airport and generating revenue for the county,” He says.
R-Jamestown lawmaker David Wilfong said the catering company could help bring commercial air service back to Jamestown. “We already have an in-house food prep business there. Maybe they can offer grab-and-go products for travelers to and from Jamestown,” He says.
Jamestown has been without commercial air service since 2017. Last year, the county council voted against funding a study on essential air services. This was before Willfeng was sworn in. No lawmakers responded to Wilfon’s comments on Wednesday.
Tarmac Cafe was at the airport but left in September 2016 after operating there for three years.