Airport restaurant closing: Kacy J's will close by the end of the month, the operator says - Delaware County Regional (KMIE), Muncie, Indiana

MUNCIE — The restaurant at the Delaware County Airport is closing — again.

“We’ve decided to make Jan. 31 our last day,” said Jay Mealy, who opened Kacy J’s at the airport in late 2009.

Mealy and his son, Chris, a chef, had owned and operated Kacy J’s until recent months, Jay Mealy said, when the restaurant was sold to Robin Gulley, the former manager. Jay Mealy continued to help operate the restaurant and was reached there Thursday morning.

“We have really taken a hit because of the weather,” Mealy said. “We’re not wanting to put any more money into it. We’re going to close.”

Mealy urged anyone with Kacy J’s gift certificates to be sure to use them before the Jan. 31 closing.

Muncie Aviation Company owns the liquor license and has made an effort to keep an eatery at the airport in the past, but Mealy said he didn’t believe that was the case this time. According to members of the county airport authority board, as recently as December 2012 the airport had 1,500 monthly take-offs, landings and radio communications with planes passing through Delaware County airspace.

Kacy J’s opened at the end of 2009 and operated longer than some of its predecessors. Although Vince’s at the airport was in business for several years, a string of closings followed. Between 2006 and 2009, Vince’s, Kimbler’s Landing and Nick’s at the Airport closed.

“I know what that track record was,” Mealy said Thursday. “I didn’t want to make a big deal of this. But I didn’t want to close the doors and disappear.”

Mealy repeated the same sentiments voiced by previous owner/operators of the restaurant space at the airport: It’s tough to draw customers away from McGalliard Road and well-known restaurants.

“People don’t appreciate the treasure they have out here,” Mealy said. “It’s difficult to get people off McGalliard, not just for the restaurant but for appreciation of the airport.”