Columbus’ 94th Aero restaurant has closed, but story’s not over for veteran photos inside
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Although a beloved local restaurant is closed, its legacy is still taking flight.
Every piece of memorabilia which was inside the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant has a story.
“I always said coming to eat here is like going through a museum,” said Margaret Gundelfinger, the restaurant’s former general manager.
The restaurant closed in June after the latest lease ended. The building was recently demolished, but Gundelfinger’s work has not stopped.
“That is our mission, is to make sure whatever we have left, people who have an affection for this restaurant, because it has a great history and it was a staple for 40 years, that they can have a piece of the history,” she said.
She’s gone through some of the memorabilia. She sold some of it and has held on to other pieces. Two of those pieces are framed photos of veterans Oliver Parent and Howard Phillips. The pictures were on display at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant for many years.
“We’d just like to be able to get these pictures back to their rightful owners. So I made sure we hung on to those,” Gundelfinger said.
Parent died in 2011 and Phillips in 2006, according to notes on the photographs. Gundelfinger doesn’t know much else about the two men, but she wants to get the pictures back in the hands of relatives.
“Family pictures are very important, my dad was a veteran and I have his navy picture displayed in my house. I just think after you’ve lost someone the pictures are so important because it’s a way to keep the memories alive,” she said.
Those who have information about the photos or are interested in other items from the restaurant can connect with Gundelfinger through a Facebook page for the restaurant or this group.
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