Airport Restaurant
The Airport Coffee Shop at the Chilliwack airport operated sporadically from the opening of the airport until it was purchased in the 1970s by Neil and Kathleen Mc Neill. As a recent retiree from the Canadian Forces as an army chef, he enticed pilots to land with fresh cooked meals. Pilots could radio ahead before landing and order a meal, similar to truck stop cafes of that era.
The Mc Neills sold the Airport Coffee Shop in 1975, and the airport and the Airport Coffee Shop were torn down soon afterwards, replaced with a fully modern Airport. After remaining closed for several years, Barbara and Gordon Mitchell purchased the Airport Coffee Shop in 1980. Focusing on fresh homemade pies, roast turkey, and hamburgers, Barb and Gord became well known among pilots throughout Canada for their pies and cinnamon buns. COPA granted an honorary pair of pilot's wings to Barb in 1994 for her pies and "Food for Flying Folk".
Barb continued to operate the Airport Coffee Shop with Gord, eventually opening a second restaurant called Devan's Restaurant. Devan's closed in the late 90's after Gord's death, but Barb continued to operate the Airport Coffee Shop along with her son, Jon, until 2008. After 28 years in the restaurant industry, Barb retired and sold the business to long-time employee Judi Good. Judi worked for Barb and Gord for 13 years prior to buying the restaurant with her two sisters, Jacqueline and Tracey.
The Airport Coffee Shop is still well known among pilots and Chilliwack residents for its food, especially its pies and hamburgers. After periods of sporadic activity, the Airport Coffee Shop has now been in continuous operation with the same recipes and menu for 32 years.
Read more about this topic: Chilliwack Airport
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