- April 25, 2024
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Two local restaurateurs are taking over the lease for the county-owned restaurant facility now known as High Jackers at the Flagler Executive Airport.
At a May 1 County Commission meeting, Flagler County commissioners approved the reassignment of the lease from current lessee Flagler Tailwinds, Inc., to Quantum Cowboys, LLC, owned by James Bourdeau and Joseph Wright.
Bourdeau already owns two restaurants in Flagler County: Beach Front Grille in Flagler Beach and Loopers Par and Grille, which opened in March at the Palm Harbor Golf Club, replacing the Green Lion Café.
Wright owns Anthony’s Pizzeria — which has one location in Palm Coast and another in St. Augustine — as well as a myriad of other businesses, including Quantum Electrical Contractors, Quantum Air Conditioning and Quantum Auto Repair.
The lease reassignment was part of the commission’s consent agenda, which was approved unanimously.
The commission’s approval is required for any subletting or reassignment of the lease. The new contract did not include information on potential changes to the restaurant.
“I know this is important for the airport,” Vice Chair Andy Dance said.
High Jackers has rented the location at the airport through the county since 2001. The restaurant’s grounds are 41,447 square feet, with the restaurant taking up approximately 5,200 square feet, according to the 2021 lease renewal contract.
The county renewed its lease with Flagler Tailwinds — owned by Flagler Beach residents Gail Holt and Richard Bancroft — in June 2021, for a monthly rate of $3,000, to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, and with alterations to the restaurant and grounds required at certain dates across the 10-year lease.
Quantum Cowboys will be assuming the lease as-is.
Just like the previous lessees, to renew the lease in 2031, Bourdeau and Wright must finish the required facility improvements, which totaled $165,000 on the original lease in 2021.
Bourdeau and Wright created Quantum Cowboys on Feb. 14, listing High Jackers’ Airport Road address as the company’s principal address.
“I know they’ll do a good job operating that restaurant,” Commission Donald O’Brien said.
Bourdeau’s Beach Front Grille, opened in 2014, has averaged $2.25 million in sales annually, according to the commission meeting’s documents. Wrights’ Anthony’s Pizzeria locations have brought in more than $10 million in revenue over the last seven years, according to the documents.
“I’m grateful to the new owners, because I know it’s a professional team,” Commission Chair Greg Hansen said. “I look forward to it, and I think it’s going to be a big step upward.”
