The Port of Seattle announced new dining and retail concepts that will come on stream between now and 2020 as the agency looks to expand customer choices. The number of dining and retail establishments at the airport will rise to 135, from 85. The increase comes amidst major expansion projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), including the North Satellite Modernization and a new international arrivals facility.
SEA plans to open at least eight more restaurants this year, including Starbucks Evenings, Rel’Lish burger lounge, Papa Woody’s, Stone House Café, Camdenfoodco., Le Grand Comptoir, Capitol Hill Food Hall, and Ballard Brew Hall.
New contracts announced Wednesday will broaden the scope of offerings over the next three years. New contracts were spread among multiple operators.
ACDBE-certified and Pacific Northwest native Daniel Nguyen and his family won as a lead operator at Sea-Tac Airport, and will mentor other small businesses as part of a joint venture. The company will open Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen at SEA. The local concept has three locations in downtown Seattle and five in Portland. Also operated by Bambuza, 9th & Pike Artisanal Sandwiches & Salads, a quick-serve concept, will have two locations on Concourse C and pre-security on the north esplanade.
“We are super excited and grateful to have an opportunity to share what makes the Pacific Northwest so unique with the millions of passengers that fly through Sea-Tac Airport,” says Daniel Nguyen, owner, Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen and 9th & Pike Artisanal Sandwiches & Salads.
HMSHost and local partner La Plaza International Inc. will offer Seattle local brand Sunset Fried Chicken in Concourse D, along with two locations of another local concept, Skillet Street Food, to Concourse C and the North Satellite at SEA. HMSHost and La Plaza will also open Seattle Beer Union, featuring local spirits, wines and beers. Finally, a new Starbucks will open in 2019 in the baggage claim area.
“HMSHost is thrilled to partner with Seattle small businesses to bring their local flavors into the airport and further bolster their presence to the thousands of world travelers that use Sea-Tac Airport on a daily basis,” says Stephen Douglas, vice president of business development at HMSHost.
SSP America, in an ACDBE joint venture with Cyclo Corporation and Hyflyers, LLC, won a contract to open Lummi Marché & Bar, petit bistro and artisan market, and Sourced Market, which will showcase gourmet fare from the Pacific Northwest region. The same partnership will offer Washington wines in its Vyne Washington Tasting Room.
Concourse Concessions, LLC, a current ACDBE tenant, won a contract to open Caffe D’arte, a locally owned Italia coffee roasting company.
SEA also announced nine new retail contracts for stores that will open in 2019 and 2020.
Hudson Group was the big winner on the retail side. Hudson partnered with MCSB, Inc. and Warren News & Gifts, Inc. for a joint venture called Seattle Air Ventures. The group already has several operations at SEA and will expand its footprint at the airport with the opening of Elliott Bay Book Co., which will be located on Concourse C, and Filson, a local apparel store. The joint venture also won a contract to open Something Silver, an artisan jewelry store. Among regional and national brand offerings, the joint venture is set to open Maui Jim, an American sunglass manufacturer, and Tumi, a global business, accessory and travel lifestyle brand. Finally, the joint venture will open a combination Hudson/Alki/Hudson News store in Concourse D.
Marmot Mountain, LLC will expand at SEA with the opening of a second ExOfficio location. The retail store offers apparel and gear for adventurous travelers.
Two contracts were awarded to locally owned ACDBE firms. Planewear, a purveyor of aviation and travel-related products and apparel will open a new store. Sub Pop will extend its contract with an updated retail space.
“As a local Seattle-based company, we are thrilled to announce the expansion of our first signature Planewear store into a new space at Sea-Tac Airport,” says Jennifer Longley, owner/CEO of Planewear. “Since our opening as a kiosk three years ago, we’ve brought fun and unique aviation-themed products to travelers of all ages. We’re excited to be part of the growth at Sea-Tac and are looking forward to help bring the airport shopping experience to new heights.”
The new dining and retail establishments will help Sea-Tac Airport provide more options to a growing population of passengers. Passenger travel at Sea-Tac Airport increased for seven years in a row; a record 46.9 million passengers came through the airport in 2017.
While the new dining and retail establishments will take a year or more to come on stream, SEA has taken action to expand its current offerings to meet passenger needs. Current concessionaires Ivar’s, Pallino’s and Subway will soon serve customers from food kiosks next to SEA’s Central Terminal Renovation, SEA’s ongoing construction project. Opening next week, Floret by Café Flora is the first full-service vegetarian restaurant at SEA. Qdoba, also opening next week, will operate 24-hours with an expanded menu.
Many of the restaurants already in the airport have recently expanded their hours to serve the morning rush. These restaurants include Seattle Tap Room, Anthony’s Restaurant, and all Starbucks locations. Restaurants open 24 hours include Dillettante, McDonalds and Qdoba.
“From kiosks to in-line stores, we are excited to offer customers more choices for dining and retail at Sea-Tac Airport, to build a platform for local chefs and shop owners who celebrate the Pacific Northwest, and to recognize equity and sustainability practices that passengers can feel good about supporting,” says Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire.
