Portland International Airport (PDX) is set to award nine new contracts for retail and food and beverage locations. The Port of Portland Commission is expected to approve the contracts today.
Upon approval, PDX staff will begin lease negotiations for the nine locations, seven of which will open in summer 2020 within the Concourse E extension. The other two outlets will open in the spring of 2021 as part of the upgrades and updates to Concourse B. All concessions at PDX are required to provide products at the same prices as at their off-airport locations.
PDX said it received 42 proposals from 30 businesses in application for nine locations, noting that changes to the solicitation process were made to attract more small and disadvantaged businesses. When these new concessions open at PDX, 26 percent of the airport’s concessions will be women- and minority-owned businesses.
“We’re always looking for ways to reduce barriers to entry into our concessions program and the overwhelming response to tweaks we made in our processes was successful,” says Shane Andreasen, interim director of terminal business and properties. “We are excited about this mix of familiar and new offerings for PDX. We focused on companies that could deliver the best customer experience possible. We also paid close attention to quality employers who appreciate the value each employee brings to the job.”
Seven of the nine new locations will offer food and beverages. The winning concepts are Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, with a second PDX location; salad-centric restaurant Evergreens, a regional chain; Good Coffee; Jamba; Juliett, a bar that pays homage to women in aviation; local restaurant Screen Door, which will be operated by HMSHost; and Tillamook, which will offer burgers and quick bites along with an ice cream counter.
The two new retail contracts go to Calliope, focused on accessories and gifts; and Tender Loving Empire with a second location at PDX. Tender Loving Empire features artisan works as well as the company’s record label offerings.
