Grand opening celebration as the Flight Deck in South Lake Tahoe changes hands

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Not every restaurant can provide a view of snowcapped mountains, tall trees, and landing aircraft along with their food, but that is exactly what patrons can expect at the Flight Deck.

The restaurant is inside the Lake Tahoe Airport in South Lake Tahoe and will be celebrating an ownership change on Saturday, February 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a champagne toast at 7:00 p.m. special activiitOn this special night, the local treasure will be featuring live music from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with the Cash Only Band with Davin Kangas, Danny Barnes and Gregg Noonberg, along with the good food and fun atmosphere the public appreciates.

The new owner is Sheila Benson. She is no stranger to restaurants and is looking forward to bringing her experience to the airport. Her grandmother owned a restaurant as Sheila was growing up and she helped out during the summers until graduating from high school. Sheila went to work for Real Mex restaurants, spending 15 years with them as general manager, moving to multiple locations in multiple cities.

For the past eight years, Sheila traveled worldwide, looking for investments. Here son started taking helicopter flying classes at Tahoe Helicopters and Sheila would fly into the Lake Tahoe Airport at times, eating at the Flight Deck and enjoying the views, the food, and meeting the staff.

"When we found out Flight Deck was for sale it was like a blessing landing in our laps," said Sheila.

Many of her investments have been in Panama, Columbia, Mexico, Belize, and Puerto Rico and typically condos, hotels and agriculture. She has loved traveling and working, but said her passion is this restaurant.

"We were not looking to buy a restaurant during the pandemic but this particular one was very dear to our hearts," said Sheila. "We already knew the food and service was great! People are friendly, so finding out that the staff, food, and locals came with it, it was a no brainer!"

"This is a family venture for us and we have been spending so much time redecorating to fit our style and what we think the guests would like. Since then, I have met MANY regulars and they are so kind. We received such a warm welcome from EVERYONE and we intend to keep the positivity to also attract new guests hopefully new “regulars” locals," added Sheila.

The Flight Deck has been redecorated, brought in new patio heaters, matching glassware and plates and lots of other special touches. New tables for inside and outside have been ordered. They haven't changed the items on the menu yet, but have created new menus that look nicer, putting Sheila's marketing skills to work. Music is going to be a common feature as well.

"Our family’s number one goals are to ensure our team is working in a positive, safe, clean environment, keeping our regulars coming and attracting new ones," said Sheila. "We also want to stress that we are a family friendly bar and grill and what a cool place for kids to watch aircraft coming and going. We are SO excited about this venture and restaurants, aircraft are very big passions for us."

Shila has three grown children, Matthew, 32, and his wife Amanda have two boys, Nichole, 31, has one daughter, and Bryce, 26, is focused on his helicopter career.

Customers will appreciate that front of house manager Patti and back of house manager Ramon have stayed on. Sheila said she is thrilled with every person on the team and is impressed with their teamwork and positivity.

"After leaving the restaurant industry for 8 years, I can honestly say, I feel home at Flight Deck," said Sheila.

Not only will they be serving lunch and dinner, a large breakfast menu is available on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Regular hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., closed Mondays for the time being. Military and first responders get 15 percent off their food items, every day.