Fraport Maryland is bringing to two new Maryland small business pop-up stores to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) — gourmet goodie shop Berries By Quicha and natural hair care product store Diva By Cindy.
Founded by LaQuicha Brown of Baltimore and located in the A/B food court near Gate A1, Berries By Quicha features chocolate-covered strawberries and other hand-dipped treats featuring a variety of milk, white and dark chocolate-covered berries.
Diva By Cindy, a store carrying a line of natural hair car products, is also located in the A/B food court. Founder Cindy Tawiah built the brand from the ground up, offering business and franchise opportunities for women and also support for homeless women and survivors of domestic violence. Sequoia Thompson of Baltimore is the proud new owner of the Diva By Cindy franchise at BWI.
Both new shops are part of BWI’s Launch Pad program, which creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to jumpstart their business in the airport retail environment.
“We’re thrilled to see these micro and small retail businesses take off at the airport,” says Ricky Smith, BWI executive director. “The Launch Pad program gives local entrepreneurs the opportunity to reach millions of travelers with their unique products. The addition of these small businesses helps keep our concessions program fresh and exciting.”
Launch Pad businesses receive 12-month leases along with training, sales, and marketing support. Since its inception in 2017, the program has welcomed nine operators to BWI Marshall Airport.
“Fraport Maryland remains fully committed to the Launch Pad program, offering small business owners an opportunity to participate in BWI’s concessions program,” says Gary Gilliard, vice president of operations for Fraport Maryland, developer and manager of the concessions program at BWI. “We are pleased to announce two exciting additions to our program and wish both operators tremendous success with their airport shops.”
