GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — After 28 years of serving burgers within sight of the runway, a husband and wife will close the only restaurant at the Gwinnett County Airport on Saturday.
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Hokey Sloan and his wife Joy have run The Flying Machine at Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field near Lawrenceville since 1998.
“I didn’t realize we meant that much to so many people, but they’ve just turned out enormously ever since the news broke that we were losing the restaurant,” Sloan said.
Sloan said the restaurant’s landlord and a business nearby both bid on the building with the county, and the county picked the other business. He said the new tenant does not want a restaurant, and the couple must be out by Oct. 1.
“The problem is there’s no more ground out here and it’s getting real valuable,” Sloan said, “and so the prices are going up and there’s just no room for a restaurant apparently anymore.”
The county ranks the airport as the third busiest in Georgia. After Saturday, pilots will need to look elsewhere to eat.
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Regulars have packed the dining room in its final days.
Barbara Bowling has spent most Friday nights at the same table for about five years. She said the place has become like family.
“Where else can you go and sit and watch the planes land and listen to music?” Bowling said.
Some of that music comes from Sloan. He first came to The Flying Machine as its entertainer before going into business there, and he plans to spend more time performing after it closes.
“Hate to see it go, but on the other hand, could sure use a break,” Sloan said.
The Flying Machine is open Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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