The Muskegon County Airport (MKG) announced Dec. 16 that Lee Ann French, owner of Joe-Lee’s Crosswinds Café, a popular restaurant at the Owosso Community Airport, has been selected by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners to launch a new restaurant operation inside the MKG main passenger terminal.
Joe-Lee’s Crosswinds Café is known for its atmosphere, scratch-made meals, and deep ties to the local aviation and community family. The Muskegon location will be open to everyone, not just travelers, and will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The café is expected to open in early May 2026.
“This is exactly the kind of restaurant we hoped to bring to Muskegon,” said Ken Efting, MKG Airport Director, in a press release. “Lee Ann has built something very special at Owosso; a place where pilots, families, and neighbors all feel at home. We’re excited to bring that same sense of warmth, great food and community pride to MKG.”
Located right inside the main entrance and open to the public, the new restaurant will be easy to access, with free parking and convenient hours designed to serve early-morning travelers, lunchtime visitors, and evening diners alike. This new restaurant will fill the space left by the Brownstone, which closed in November 2016, bringing fresh energy and a new gathering place back to the terminal. The airport expects the new location to become a favorite stop for airport passengers, employees, nearby businesses and local residents .
“Lee-Lee’s Crosswinds Café West” at MKG will feature: Fresh, scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week; coffee and grab-and-go options for travelers on the move; comfort food favorites with local flair; an aviation-themed setting celebrating flight, history, and the Muskegon community and a welcoming space for both travelers and locals to gather.
French said in the release that bringing Crosswinds Café to Muskegon feels like a natural fit.
“Airports are special places because they bring people together,” said French. “We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be part of Muskegon County Airport and the surrounding community. Our goal is simple: Great food, friendly faces, and a place where everyone feels welcome.”
The selection follows a competitive public Request for Proposals process and review by the Airport Development Advisory Committee. The airport views this as a long-term partnership and looks forward to growing together with Crosswinds Café as the airport continues to evolve. More updates, including menu previews and grand-opening plans, will be shared on social media as the opening date approaches.
