The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) have announced the winning operators and concepts for the first phase of the new concessions program at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)’s new Terminal 6.
Prime operators Dufry and Hudson, both Avolta companies, have been selected to operate duty free shops and New York-centric retail, and will partner with local and diverse businesses through joint ventures to ensure New York-based and diverse businesses are represented at the airport.
The $4.2 billion T6 will feature a wide swath of New York-focused concessions concepts, as well as duty-free products from local vendors. In the first phase of development, Dufry will operate a 18,200-square-foot duty free space inspired by the city’s famous Union Square thoroughfare. The space will encompass The Liquor Library, a store and speakeasy designed to reference the city’s historic public library system and offering premium wine and spirits tastings; The Green Market, offering passengers artisanal goods reminiscent of the Union Square Greenmarket; The Pavilion, a premium beauty and skincare shop designed to resemble Union Square’s North Plaza; and the Theater of Dreams, a premium fragrance shop inspired by Union Square’s Daryl Roth Theatre.
Dufry will operate its duty free stores as a joint venture called JFK T6 Duty-Free Concessionaires, which includes five ACDBE partners: the KELLEE Communications Group, Inc. as well as local partners Tsion Cafe, Samantha Alexis Consulting, Neir’s Tavern and Baked Cravings.
“From the offset we challenged prospective bidders to think outside the box and be creative about how T6 will redefine the standard for duty free in North America,” said Sammy Patel, vice president, commercial at Vantage Group. “Through our collaborative process with the Port Authority, Avolta and our team, we’ve developed an ambitious retail offer which is captivating, dynamic, and immersive. Guests can look forward to a mixture of global brands as well as iconic local businesses that together will create a true sense of place that is unique to New York and Queens.”
Hudson’s retail concepts will span 10,000 square feet and include the Chelsea Outpost, a curated retail market inspired by the well-known Chelsea Market; City Square Supply, a shop offering locally crafted products from brands like Calhoun & Co. New York and Hola! I’m Back; Skyline Central, a electronics and accessories store that will also offer grab and go fare from Baked Cravings and Bessou; and Astor & Lenox, a store inspired by the marketplaces of Bryant Park and the adjacent New York Public Library that will offer books, electronics, local sports apparel, New York-themed memorabilia and gifts as well as goods from local brands like Lesjolie and Wonderen Stroopwafels.
Hudson will operate its retail concepts as a joint venture, HG JFK T6 Retail JV , that includes three ACDBE partners: KELLEE Communications Group, Inc. as well as local partners The Nourish Spot, Inc. and Sullivan Hernandez Group, Inc.
“We are proud to partner with Hudson and Dufry to launch a world-class retail experience that reflects the dazzling display of offerings that New York City and Queens are known for,” said JFK Millennium Partners CEO Steve Thody. “Our selection features internationally renowned brands while driving real economic opportunities in our community for generations to come.”
T6’s food and beverage program will include a locally-focused food hall operated by two 100% minority-owned ACDBE partners, Olympic Supply and M&R Concessions. The East Food Hall will feature products from Brooklyn-based pizzeria Di Fara Pizza; Italian sandwiches from well-known Alidoro Cafe; juices, salads, sandwiches and other health-focused fare from Bedford Stuyvesant-based cafe BKLYN Blend; chicken sandwiches from the James Beard Award-winning Fuku; and banh mi sandwiches, pho and appetizers from the critically-acclaimed Ha Noi House. JMP officials stated that the T6 food and beverage concessions program is expected to attain 35% ACDBE participation.
“We are honored to collaborate with a diverse and dynamic group of small businesses and local brands to launch our Terminal 6 concessions program,” said Thody. “Many of these businesses connected with us for the first time at one of our numerous community outreach events last summer, illustrating the success of our efforts to ensure JFK’s surrounding community benefits economically from Terminal 6’s redevelopment.
By helping diverse business owners create generational wealth and advance local economic prosperity, we aim to make a lasting positive impact on the community,” Thody continued. “We look forward to continuing our community outreach this fall as we launch the next phase of our concessions procurement, which will have a central focus on attracting additional local retail partners.”
While the first phase of T6 concessions and retail is slated to open in early 2026, other additional concessions opportunities will be released this fall for the next phase of the project’s construction, which is slated to open in 2028.
