Ivar’s to battle port commissioners over loss of lease at Sea-Tac Airport

Port of Seattle commissioners will hear from leadership at Ivar’s seafood restaurant, which is losing its lease at Sea-Tac Airport.

Ivar’s president: Something fishy going on at Sea-Tac Airport

Ivar’s airport location is being replaced by another fish shop.

KIRO 7 looked through the decision process the Port of Seattle uses to determine which concessions it will take.

It often cites places that have a Pacific Northwest vibe as well as smaller disadvantaged places.

Ivar’s is set to argue that with a 79-year history, they deserve to be at the airport.

At 1 p.m. Tuesday, Port of Seattle commissioners will get a briefing on the concessions at Sea-Tac.

Since 2005, Ivar’s has been one of the highest volume concessionaires.

But in a overhaul of food service at Sea-Tac, Ivar’s will be losing their spot in about 6 months.

In a competitive bidding process with 50 proposals for 10 spots, the airport said the winning bid came from the locally women-owned Lucky Louie Alaska Fish Shop.

But Ivar’s president Bob Donegan says they have history on their side.

“The airport said it wanted a heritage northwest business. We think this being year 79 for us fits that. So we’re confused for how the decisions were made. We think they’re wrong,” said Donegan.

“It was very competitive and unfortunately, they did not score the highest in the package that they went after,” said SeaTac Airport Director Lance Lyttle.

Ivar’s says they’re gathering staff and supporters and leaning on $5 million in rent they say they’ve paid and top ratings among airport restaurants for Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.

The meeting is a briefing, so votes may not be taken Tuesday.

Owners of the restaurant slated to take over Ivar’s spot said they feel excited to be in.