BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A South Burlington community staple has been forced to close its doors. The Aviation Deli has been serving up unique sandwiches, sides and dishes for more than a decade, but the owner says they can’t stay in their building any longer.
“This building has been a store for, it’s got to be close to 70 years now,” said Robert Mahoney, who has owned the Aviation Deli on Airport Drive in South Burlington for more than a decade.
But Mahoney, who leases the space from the Burlington Airport, says the building has fallen into disrepair, with the walls falling apart and the floor sinking. “There hasn’t been a lot of repair done to it even prior to me taking the business,” he said. “When we can, we contact them. But not a lot of communication with the airport. There’s a lack of communication.”
The airport’s Jeff Bartley says repairs are not viable and tearing the store down to rebuild would be the only option. “Unfortunately we are looking at over a million dollars,” he said. “That is just not something that the airport can financially handle right now. It would take decades to recoup the costs.”
It’s a loss for many, including airport employees and travelers, who stop by for a bite to eat and find a sense of community in the local deli.
“I was sad and frustrated that another iconic Vermont business is going by the wayside. I just felt like something like this was so important to the community,” said Nicole Citro.
Aviation deli will officially close its doors at the end of November. The owners are looking at possibilities for a different location in the same area, to pick up right where they left off.