Dining and retail openings are in full swing at the AIRMALL® at Cleveland-Hopkins International (CLE).
Travelers needing a boost can find it at Dunkin’ Donuts, which opened Nov. 2 in the Main Terminal food court. In addition to coffee, the location will serve specialty sandwiches and baked goods.
“Dunkin’ Donuts is a respected national brand that is known for quality and value,” says Airport Director Ricky Smith. “Our ongoing objective with the new concessions program is to continue offering respected retail brands that travelers know and love, and Dunkin’ Donuts is an important addition to the program.”
A second Dunkin’ Donuts Location is slated to open in the coming months.
Other hungry travelers may find their fare at Panini’s Bar and Grill, which opened Oct. 2 on Concourse C.
Owned by United Concessions Group Inc., the 1,700 sq. ft. location offers its signature overstuffed sandwiches, along with appetizers, salads, wraps, pizza, wings and burgers.
“We are excited to be a part of the concessions development at the AIRMALL® at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport,” says Ben Rababy, vice president of United Concessions Group Inc. and the franchisee for the Panini’s at the AIRMALL®. “At the airport, airlines are not big fans of overstuffed baggage, but we are certain that our overstuffed sandwiches will win fans quickly, making us a preferred destination for a quality meal on the go.”
In addition, two new Hudson News units – one on Concourse A and another on Concourse C – opened in October. The stores offer one-stop shopping for necessities, reading materials, and a variety of packaged foods and snacks.
And for those needing ATM services, Charter One has been named the airport’s new ATM provider. Eleven ATMs began operating at CLE on Oct. 28, replacing US Bank as the principal ATM provider.
“Charter One is a recognized and trusted financial institution in Ohio, and BAA Cleveland is happy to welcome the bank to the airport,” says Tina LaForte, vice president of BAA Cleveland. “Moreover, the new ATMs will be more strategically located throughout the terminal at CLE, offering added convenience to travelers who need access to their bank accounts.”
Free Wi-Fi service will keep travelers connected to the Internet, thanks to OneCommunity, a Northeast Ohio non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fiber optic connectivity to public and non-profit entities with socially conscious missions including education, healthcare, government, and arts and cultural institutions. The service, which launched Nov. 18, will allow users to browse the Internet, download images and check e-mail.
Coverage in the terminal will include all of the areas previously covered by the former pay service, the four concourses, and the ticketing/boarding level of the Main Terminal; it will also extend to the baggage-claim area.
“This service functions as another important economic development driver,” says Scot Rourke, president and CEO of OneCommunity. “People have choices and we are excited to provide this public service to help attract more visitors, improve access and convenience and enhance productivity.”
Several other concessions have signed leases to be part of the AIRMALL®, including Crocs; Currito: Burritos Without Borders; The Pub; Sbarro; Quaker Steak & Lube; and BluWire.
The AIRMALL® at CLE is a project of BAA Cleveland, which was awarded a 10-year contract by the city of Cleveland in February 2008 to develop and manage all concessions at the airport. When completed, it will occupy 76,000 sq. ft. of retail space.
“Our main goal has always been to enhance the passenger experience at CLE,” Smith says. “The AIRMALL® has done just that. With each announcement of a new brand coming to the AIRMALL® or the opening of a new retail store or restaurant, we are making good on our promise.”
