‘I have all the faith in the world’: New owner looks to revive The Skyway East

MANSFIELD — Amit Sahni put his faith in more than a name when he headed to the auction for The Skyway East.

The owner of two additional Ohio restaurants said he learned of the auction through several friends and customers from the Mansfield area.

Sahni, who is a believer, said when he discovered the real estate agent’s name was Faith, he gave her a call.

“I have all the faith in the world,” Sahni said to Faith Deal with REMAX First Realty. “And because of the faith, I’m calling you.”

The Skyway East’s next chapter

Sahni texted his friend Paul, whom he described as one of the strongest believers he knows, the day of the auction. 

 “I said, ‘Paul, I need you to pray for me. I’m going to this auction and please have a prayer for me, if the Lord wants me to do this, then I should get it,” Sahni said.

At the auction, one of his regular customers, who lives close by the restaurant, joined Sahni. He said the customer recalled memories of sitting at the bar and visiting the restaurant with his parents.

Sahni also heard from some of his customers who are Fredericktown residents. They attended their first prom at The Skyway East and have now been married for 30 years.

Those stories reflect the restaurant’s prominent place in the community. Former owner Buzz Smith estimated he was involved in about 100 engagements at The Skyway East, including proposals with rings hidden in champagne glasses and cakes.

Smith announced in October 2022 he would be closing the restaurant and retiring at the end of the month. Demand filled reservations for the final operating days, and Smith added a bonus day Nov. 3 after customers booked it in 31 minutes.

Smith said he hoped a future owner would keep the restaurant at 2461 Emma Lane operating as a steakhouse or upscale eatery. He also emphasized the value of an independent restaurant that gives people a place to gather for business and family celebrations.

(Entrance to The Skyway East restaurant. Credit: Hannah Martin)

Sahni said he wants to build on The Skyway East’s legacy while creating a place where customers return for dinner on any night, rather than just special occasions.

‘When we cook something, we don’t cut corners’

Sahni owns Bombay Garden and Greek Eats at 1558 Coshocton Ave. in Mount Vernon and Noni’s 121 Italian at 842 S. 30th St. in Heath. 

At Noni’s 121 Italian, Sahni said, customers have responded enthusiastically to the food. One recent visitor from Italy told him the food reminded him of a village in Italy.

Another customer, a French-speaking mechanical engineer visiting from Quebec, Canada, told Sahni he rated the restaurant’s Italian food a 10 out of 10 after discussing his travels and favorite cuisines with Sahni.

Sahni credits his chefs and their attention to detail for those experiences.

“When we cook something, we don’t cut corners,” he said. “We do it very earthy, like home-style cooking and elevated flavors.”

He wants to bring that same approach to The Skyway East, though he has not finalized the menu. Sahni said he needs to complete the acquisition process before he can better determine what the restaurant’s entire menu will feature.

“When you promise something in the beginning, it’s very hard to change,” he said.

The beloved salad bar could look different under the new ownership. Sahni said he may serve individual salads instead, allowing his kitchen to control how ingredients are prepared.

“I think our goal is to make a valuable menu,” he said. “So it doesn’t become like an event place. It should become like a weekly place.”

Sahni said he still needs to work through details with the county, including kitchen-related matters, and obtain a liquor license.

Although he considers the liquor license part of the process, Sahni said it’s not his top priority for opening. He expressed confidence in his attorney’s ability to help navigate the remaining steps.

For now, Sahni is working toward closing on the property Oct. 28 and figuring out how to carry The Skyway East into its next chapter.