Ella’s at the Airport, a popular eatery at the Watsonville Municipal Airport, abruptly closed last week.
A sign posted on their window reads, “Due to unexpected circumstances, we’ve made the difficult decision to close Ella’s at the Airport. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team, who showed up every day with dedication, hard work and kindness. Their efforts helped make Ella’s a truly special place for everyone who walked through our doors.
To all our guests—locals, the pilots who loved our food, and the Watsonville Pilots Association—you’ve shown us continued love and support, and we want to sincerely thank you.”
The restaurant was owned by Chielo Apac, who bought the restaurant from Ella King.
The owner did not respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook.
“I can’t believe this—I just ate there two nights ago and it was excellent, as usual,” said Shaz Roth, CEO of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. “They offered something different and it was just a great place to settle in for dinner and watch the planes coming and going. And you could always meet people there.”
Roth said Ella’s was a regular host of Leadership Santa Cruz County and recently held a free lunch for a large crowd.
“They held several community mixers and they were the kind of place that regularly gave back to their community,” Roth said. “She will be greatly missed.”
King started the restaurant about a decade ago and handed over the reins to Apac.
The restaurant initially began—inside the airport’s main terminal building with sprawling views of the tarmac and runways—in 1980 as The Belly Landing, owned by Jean Ann Mason and Phil White. They sold it in 1987, when it became Zuniga’s Mexican Food Restaurant, owned by Larry Brindley.
It changed hands again in 2012 to become Props until becoming Ella’s.
