Six months after closing for major renovations, the restaurant at Ryan Airfield in Three Points could be back in business by June under a new operator.
On Wednesday, the Tucson Airport Authority Board of Directors approved a lease for Richard Flory, who owns The Happy Rooster Cafe on Tucsonโs east side. Flory is expected to open Richieโs Cafe by June in the space that long housed Toddโs at 9700 W. Ajo Way.
It will be the first time that patrons of the airport will be able to grab a bite at the restaurant since last fall, when the airport authority closed it to make much-needed updates and repairs.
Toddโs was expected to reopen in late November or early December, but the owners, Shari and Todd Scott, couldnโt reach a lease agreement with the authority. The airport wanted the restaurant to open at 6 a.m., but the Scotts wanted to continue opening at 8.
Toddโs officially closed in late December and the authority has spent the time since making even more repairs, including replacing kitchen equipment, said TAA spokesman David Hatfield, senior director of business development and marketing.
Hatfield said Richieโs Cafe will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day, and will likely serve a menu similar to that of Floryโs Happy Rooster.
The Happy Rooster Cafe has been a staple at 1114 S. Sarnoff Drive off East 22nd Street for 17 years. Flory has owned it four of those years.
The restaurant serves hearty country breakfasts anchored by sausage, bacon, chicken-fried streak or Italian and Polish sausage, and stuffed sandwiches bulging with sliced turkey, roast beef, ham or other deli meats and cheeses.
