SOUTHERN FLYER DINER AT BRENHAM MUNICIPAL AIRPORT PERMANENTLY CLOSING

  

A longtime staple at the Brenham Municipal Airport is closing its doors.

The Southern Flyer Diner, which has operated at the airport since October of 2002, announced its permanent closure on Saturday via Facebook, after having been closed since March when Governor Greg Abbott issued an order closing bars and dine-in restaurants.

The 1950’s styled diner first closed in January of 2017, with owner Jack Hess citing economic troubles.  The diner reopened in August of 2018 for lunch only on Fridays through Mondays, but then closed again in March.  Between 2002 and 2017, the restaurant won 15 consecutive awards from the online publication “$100 Hamburger”, which provides pilot reviews of airport restaurants.

Earlier this month, the Brenham City Council approved the termination of the city’s Fixed Based Operator (FBO) agreement with Southern Flyer, Inc.  Jack and Janet Hess sent notice to the city in June detailing their desire to cease being an FBO at the airport, after signing the original FBO contract in 2000.

Assistant City Manager of Public Services and Utilities Donald Reese said Southern Flyer’s FBO agreement is separate from the agreement to operate the diner, but they both terminate at the end of this month.  As it currently stands, the agreement with new FBO Aviators Plus, approved in September of 2019, says they have the right to take over FBO operations in the event that Southern Flyer were to leave.

Reese said the city is in the “very early stages” of discussion on whether Aviators Plus would be interested in operating the diner as part of their agreement.

 

While Jack declined to comment for this story, he and Janet said on Facebook that they are thankful for the community’s continued support, and it is “with heavy hearts” that they say goodbye.