Judge dismisses South Bend Chocolate Company lawsuit against St. Joseph County Airport Authority over SBN concessions

UPDATE: The South Bend International Airport released the following statement regarding the recent court decision:

"South Bend International Airport (SBN) is pleased with the judge’s ruling regarding the lawsuit brought about by South Bend Chocolate Company pertaining to concession operations. From the beginning, we strongly disagreed with the claims being made and were confident that the selection process was done in full accordance of the law.

Within the next 30 days, three new concession areas will open post-security at the airport while construction continues on the remainder of the spaces.

We are excited to provide a broad mix of new offerings."

ORIGINAL STORY: SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Chocolate Company's lawsuit against the St. Joseph County Airport Authority will not move forward.

A judge recently dismissed the case with prejudice. SBCC and its owner Mark Tarner filed the lawsuit after the airport selected Sky Dine as its concessionaire, following a 10-year relationship between it and the SBCC.

In a ruling, a judge stated that the SBCC has no statutory right to have its expired concessionaire licensed renewed or extended, nor does it have the statutory right to have its bid for the contact accepted.

Documents also show the SBCC for a "re-do" of the bidding process. The judge ruled that there was no guarantee the SBCC would win the concessionaire contract should that happen.