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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 10, 2006 Red Baron ends 35-year stint at airport Jackson County gives the troubled bar and restaurant the boot Thursday morning By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Jackson County terminated its lease Thursday with a restaurant that has served hungry travelers at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport for 35 years. Red Baron Restaurant & Lounge immediately closed its doors and laid off its 12 employees after owner Nick Gilman learned of the decision Thursday morning. "We terminated their lease for failing to meet the provisions of the lease," said Bern Case, airport director. He declined to specify which lease provisions the restaurant had not met. However, the American-style eatery has been fraught with problems since Gilman purchased it from Kathi Sackett three years ago. Advertisement Sackett sued Gilman for $50,800 after he paid less than half of the restaurant’s agreed purchase price. "The reason we didn’t (pay in full) is because she gave us false record (of the restaurant’s monthly profits)," Gilman said. Court records indicate Sackett has disputed Gilman’s claim. She and her attorney, Barry Shaw, could not immediately be reached for comment. The two parties are set for a legal arbitration Sept. 11, Gilman said. In September, the restaurant failed two county health inspections for critical violations. The violations included gravy kept at an unsafe temperature, failure to date cooked meat, raw hamburger and cooked meat refrigerated on the same pan, employees drinking from unapproved containers, evidence of rodent infestation and improper storage of toxic rodent bait. "We located the problem and fixed it," Gilman said. He said he does not yet know what he will do next. "I feel bad for my employees,"" he said. "Some of them worked here for seven or eight years. That’s heartbreaking for me." Case said the airport expects to choose another restaurant for the airport in about three months. That restaurant will be given a lease until October 2008, when the new terminal opens. During the interim period, Dawg Stop will sell hot dogs, biscuit and gravy and other items curbside at the airport. Food items will also be available at the gift shop and coffee cart. "Until we get a new restaurant, we’ll do all we can to feed our customers," Case said. Red Baron paid at least $2,800 per month for its lease, sometimes more when volumes were high. Its lease was not due to expire until February 2008. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4459 or e-mail Red Baron ends 35-year stint at airport ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement