VANDALIA, Ohio (WKEF) — Dayton International Airport (DAY) welcomes two new dining concepts, Warped Wing Brewing Company and Buckeye Pie, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
The new venues, developed in partnership with Tailwind Hospitality, deliver a significant renewal of the passenger experience immediately beyond the airport’s TSA checkpoint.
Together with the adjacent Dunkin’ location, the three Tailwind Hospitality-operated venues form the first food and beverage offerings travelers encounter after clearing security.
As a group, the new spaces are brighter, more welcoming, and closely tied to the identity of Dayton and the state of Ohio.
“It’s an easy access point as they come out the checkpoint. They’ll be able to get access to some great food options, and I think they’ll enjoy it to get their day started,” said Director of Aviation at Dayton International Airport Gil Turner.
Buckeye Pie, a new quick-service pizza concept, takes over the former Great American Bagel location, which has been fully renovated to accommodate it. The adjacent Warped Wing location occupies the former Max & Erma’s restaurant and incorporates space previously left underused between the two former concessions.
The previous concessions at the airport were there for more than 20 years. The openings mark the first phase of a broader concession transformation at the airport with two additional locations planned in the concourses.
Airport officials say this project raises the bar for what a stop before boarding can feel like, and the kind of investment they want partners to make at this airport.
“There’s a lot of great places and partners that they could have brought into the airport, and the fact that they selected Warped Wing means everything to us,” said Co Founder of Warped Wing Brewing Company Nick Bowman.
Tailwind Hospitality invested $2 million in capital improvements for five key concession concepts. Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce says this a time when these amenities are needed to support the increase in travelers.
“More people are flying out of Dayton because they know how easy it is day in and day out at this airport. They know how easy it is to get to your destination,” said Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce President Chris Kershner.
Airport leaders say bringing Dayton brands into the terminal isn’t just about food. It’s about giving visitors their first and last impression of the Miami Valley.
“Nearly every passenger who passes through this terminal walks by these doors, which gives Warped Wing and Buckeye Pie an outsized role in how people experience Dayton,” Turner said.
The project reflects collaboration between Dayton International Airport, Tailwind Hospitality, Warped Wing Brewing Company, and McSwain Architect, and was completed with local general contractor Staffco Construction, Inc., along with subcontractors Saturn Electric, Apex Mechanical, and TR2.
For more information, please visit Dayton International Airport’s website.
Dining and Cooking