Rostraver Airport will have Dunkin’ Donuts, barbecue and catering business

The Rostraver Airport will add a Dunkin’ just two months after leasing its former on-site restaurant to a barbecue and catering business.

The coffee and doughnut chain expressed interest in acquiring a piece of the airport’s 197-acre property this summer. The Westmoreland County Airport Authority, which operates the airport, rejected a proposal to enter into a lease agreement with Dunkin’ months prior.

The authority approved a $355,000 purchase agreement with Dunkin’ this week. The property is an empty lot located by the park and ride at the entrance to the airport off of Route 51, said authority Executive Director Gabe Monzo.

The move comes two months after a new tenant signed a ease for the airport’s former Eagle’s Landing II restaurant, which closed in November 2022 because of pandemic-related business issues.

Gary “Droopy” Musisko, of Elizabeth, said in June he wanted to rent the space to operate his business, Blaine Hill Barbecue & Catering.

Musisko earlier this year sold his previous business, Droopy’s Cross Creek Bar and Grill, located on Boston Hollow Road in Elizabeth.

Renovations are slow and steady so far, said Musisko’s son, Adam Musisko. They have installed new floors in the banquet hall and kitchen, fixed windows and plumbing, and remodeled bathrooms.

The goal is to acquire a health inspector permit in December, said the younger Musisko, also of Elizabeth. The space will focus on catering, but it could evolve into serving take-out and sit-down food in the future, he said.

“We didn’t enter it to be a 7 (a.m.) to 7 (p.m.) restaurant, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. The catering kitchen was there and the other parts came along as we went,” he said. “We just don’t know yet.”

Airport authority member Gary Beck believes the business will be a strong asset for the airport and its clientele.

“The restaurant would really help with the traffic in and out of (the airport),” he said. “There are several businesses that came in on the main road (Route 51) down there, and with what we have coming, it should really help. That airport is busy.”