SOUTH BEND — South Bend International Airport is pushing back against allegations in a lawsuit filed by The South Bend Chocolate Company.
The airport has filed a response with the court asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
The chocolatier, which has been the airport’s master concessionaire since 2014, publicly announced the lawsuit May 4, with owner Mark Tarner decrying the awarding of the bid to out-of-state vendor Sky Dine, which the Chocolate Company said in a press release bid a lower percentage rent, rather than remaining with a local company.
The issue wasn’t where the concessionaire is headquartered, the airport countered in its own press release May 5, but in the need to expand offerings at the airport, which continues to set records for number of travelers.
“While not required,” the airport release read, “officials at SBN conducted a formal, fair, and transparent request for proposals (RFP) process to reimagine and expand concession offerings that would best serve the traveling public.
“The selected proposal includes a mix of local and national brands offering a broader range of options for travelers. These include two full-service The Lauber restaurant locations post-security; two new Dunkin’ locations — one pre-security and one post-security — to serve both South Shore riders and airline passengers; a Jimmy John’s location post-security; a new burger and beer concept pre-security; and expanded retail offerings featuring a wide range of local vendors.”
The airport also clarified that “South Bend Chocolate Company’s lease is not being terminated. It expires on May 31, 2026.”
Tarner plans a May 6 news conference, where he said area leaders would speak to try to help rally community support.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Airport rebuts South Bend Chocolate Company lawsuit claims
Reporting by Cory Havens, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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