​Local business owner proposes permanent food concession, facilities at Kincardine Airport

Lauren Morris, owner of the Cheesy Monkii food truck and L’Aquila Café and Cucina on Gary Street in Kincardine, is urging the Municipality of Kincardine to further commercialize the Kincardine Airport, with a permanent food concession and other facilities to enhance services, increase usage and drive new revenue streams, while maintaining the airport's operational integrity and community alignment.

The proposal came to council in the form of a delegation at its meeting Wednesday night (Jan. 14).

Morris told council she has operated the food truck for the past seven years; of those, five have been at the airport.

She stressed that the airport is "uniquely positioned to serve Bruce Power contractors and transient workers, local businesses, corporate aviation, tourism and recreational flyers, charter opportunities, and seasonal visitors.

"Over the course of my operations at the airport, through Cheesy Monkii, I have directly observed consistent daily traffic and demand for food, beverage, and traveller amenities, substantial room for growth in airport-based services, growing interest from aviation communities across Ontario, and opportunities for stronger branding and destination-building.

"The airport is under-utilized relative to its potential. With thoughtful planning, increased amenities, and strategic service offerings, it could become an anchor economic site and a recognized regional aviation destination."

She suggested the municipality consider a permanent or seasonal concession, pilot and crew lounge enhancements, grab-and-go options for travellers, contractors, and flight schools, and event-based food services during fly-ins, airshows, and tourism weekends.

"These services would improve visitor experience and increase dwell time and spending at the airport," she said.

The airport has strong potential for aviation-driven events, including annual or seasonal fly-ins/drive-ins, family aviation days, aviation appreciation weekends, charity events and municipal celebrations, and food truck or vendor markets integrated into apron-side events, said Morris.

"My businesses have a successful record of community engagement and could assist with planning, promoting, or operating these events," she said.

Long-term initiatives could include leasing space for aviation-adjacent businesses, partnerships with flight schools or charter services, developing a small-scale passenger or shuttle terminal extension for specialized transportation needs, hosting local artisan vendors and small retailers seasonally, branded merchandise and local products to promote Kincardine tourism, and an airport-themed hotel co-owned by all the business owners in Kincardine to assist in promoting more tourism for different markets, such as weddings and a spa service.

"These additions would diversify revenue streams and support local economic development," she said.

And finally, to expand the airport’s visibility, Morris said that co-branded marketing efforts with the municipality and Tourism Kincardine, could include social media campaigns highlighting the airport as a tourism gateway, improved signage, airport information materials, and visitor touch-points, and integration of local business promotions for incoming pilots and crews.

"My businesses already maintain a strong digital presence, and I am prepared to leverage those channels to support airport marketing efforts," said Morris.

She would like to work with the municipality to discuss this proposal and the future economic development of the airport.

"There is a lot of potential here," she said. "The airport could be so much more than it is now."

"I love your entrepreneurship and your spirit," said councillor Bill Stewart. "However, that is an abandoned area at the airport, and Highway 21 is closed a lot there. Doesn't that put your business plan at risk?"

Morris said unlike the food truck which is located there only part of the year, a permanent structure and a proper parking lot would make it a year-round business, providing service despite the weather conditions.

Councillor Rory Cavanagh asked how much traffic Morris gets from being adjacent to the airport.

"Ironically, the majority are regular customers," said Morris. "About 70 per cent are out-of-town residents. But nobody is thinking of the Cheesy Monkii when it's raining."

Council agreed to refer the proposal to staff for a recommendation at a future meeting.



The Dailis Kitchen Container; photo included as part of Lauren Morris' proposal