Shopping

Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l will upgrade Terminal 3

Food, Shopping, , ,

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is going give its Terminal 3 a makeover, with lots of local dining options and fresh new shops. All should be open by 2010.

In addition to a branch of Shake Shack, locally-themed dining venues coming from both airport dining operators Host International and SSP American in the mix will include:

  • The Parlor– Wood oven pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, salads and more;
  • Mustache Pretzel – Gourmet pretzels, dips and drinks.
  • Postino – bruschetta boards, salads, sandwiches, beer, wine and more.
  • Joyride Taco House –  Tacos, burritos, craft cocktails and more.
  • Tru Burger Co. –Specialty burgers from a local favorite.
  • Original ChopShop – Salads, protein bowls, sandwiches, fresh juices and more.
  • Uberrito Fresh Mex –Burritos, tacos, and more are available at this fresh-Mexican eatery.
  • Phoenix Ale Brewery Central Kitchen – Locally-brewed beer makes,, pub fare, salads, craft beer and more.
  • Leoni’s Focaccia – Sandwiches made with cured Italian meats, focaccia bread, and a variety of cheeses.
  • Ajo Al’s Mexican Café – An Arizona original.
  • Crave Grounds – Fresh donuts with locally-roasted coffees and specialty teas.
  • The Tavern – From Phoenix Chef Mark Tarbell. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a variety of entrees.
  • Christopher’s Crush – From James Beard award winner Chef Gross, a local restaurant with a variety of pizzas, salads, entrees, meats and cheeses and more.

Some of the locally-themed retail concepts on the way include:

  • Discover Arizona– Arizona-themed gifts, souvenirs, books and more.
  • Indigenous/Mosaic – Combines two popular Sky Harbor stores. Ceramics, jewelry, artwork, collectibles.
  • Lolli and Pops – Candies, edible items and more.
  •  Travel Outfitters – Luggage and travel accessories from a local store that also has locations in Chandler and Scottsdale.

Some of these new outlets will open in late 2018/early 2019 as part of the Terminal’s new South Concourse. The rest should open when in 2020 when the north concourse renovation is finished. More details here.

 

Books, Shopping, , , ,

A rare and much-loved amenity at Raleigh=Durham International Airport is closing this week after serving passengers for almost 34 years.

2nd ed. Booksellers – a used bookstore located post-security at RDU – is closing it doors on December 31 after 33 and half years at the airport.

“It is quite sad to see it go, but it is time to retire as I have arthritis issues that strongly recommend that I stop lifting and toting boxes of books,” owner Walter High, who operates the store with his wife Karen, wrote on the store’s Facebook page. “We will miss our faithful customers and RDU will lose one of its most unique aspects. A used bookstore behind security at the airport doesn’t happen anywhere else in the US that we know of.Thank you all for your support over the years!”

RDU’s used bookshop was a favorite with travelers and a rarity at an airport. Two other airports have bookstores (that I know of) that also sell used books: Renaissance Book Shop at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport and a branch of Powell’s Books (selling new and used books) at Portland International Airport.” But these are pre-security.

Pop-up shops at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Shopping,

Several pop-up shops have popped up at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport- just in time for holiday shopping.

A bonus free-for-anyone lounge has returned as well.

Fans of Frango candies (created in Chicago back in 1929) will be pleased to find a Frango holiday boutique in Terminal 1, Concourse B, near gate B12 selling Frango cholate truffles in a vareity of classic and limited holiday flavors.

InMotion Entertainment, selling technology tools and gadgets, has a bonus pop-up shop in Terminal 2 and the Pop Gallery store, offering art, print and books, along with collectibles and toys, has popped in Terminal 3.

O’Hare has also brought back the Fly with Butch O’Hare Lounge, which first appeared at O’Hare last summer. The lounge is decked out in holiday trimmings and offers travelers comfortable chairs and chargng stations – and a nod to Butch O’Hare, the World War II Hero who is the airport’s namesake.

 

Travel Tidbits: KLM holiday sweater+ Swanky Air Canada suite

Lounges, Shopping, ,

Air Canada opens  a new 6,400 square-foot Air Canada Signature Suite on December 1 for full fare paying international business customers at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The swanky new suite is located by Air Canada’s international departure gates at Toronto Pearson, can accommodate up to 160 premium customers and offers a complimentary, full-service restaurant offering à la carte dining as well as a cocktail lounge space, hors d’œuvres, snacks, a quiet sitting area and concierge service. Nice!

 

Need a fun – or quirky – holiday gift for your favorite frequent flyer?

KLM is selling “Flying Home for Christmas” sweaters – for $35.55 (plus shipping)- in its on-line shop, where you can also find blood pressure monitors and snore stoppers along with other travel gadgets, electronics, perfume and gift-worthy items.

 

Souvenir Sunday at Quito International Airport

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs

It’s Souvenir Sunday – the day StuckatTheAirport.com takes a look at inexpensive, locally-themed items you can find at airports around the world.

This week’s treats come from the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Ecuador.

Shops inside the airport sell many items from the region, but the airport recently opened a socially responsible store offering agricultural products grown and provided by the families living near the airport.

The new shop is called Nuestra Huerta – which means ‘Our Garden’ – and is located in the Airport Center building, across the street from the airport passenger terminal.

16 farmers and their families from the Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, Yaruqui and Checa communities are running the shop, which sells fresh produce, such as strawberries, avocados and lettuce, as well as honey and a variety of bagged snacks.

International passengers may not be able to fly home with a head of lettuce from Quito, but honey, snacks and many other items will certainly travel – and the shop is certain to be popular with arriving passengers and those who work at the airport.

 

Souvenir Sunday: airline-branded gifts

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs,

Getting ready to start shopping for the road warriors in  your life?

Don’t forget the on-line web pages for airline and aviation gear, including model airplanes, travel gear, gadgets and a variety of fun and offbeat items.

In the United Shop, you’ll find all manner of Polaris-related items, including those comfy Saks Fifth Avenue duvets ($59.99) and upcycled messenger bags made from banners that advertise Polaris service.

The Delta Shop has lots of apparel, toys, drinkware and other branded items, including this Boeing 717 1/100 model, which sells for $350.

And the Alaska Airlines shop sells everything from branded golf balls, glassware and apparel to model airplanes and a pilot hat for kids.

 

Not a fan of these airlines?  Check the website of your favorite carrier and there’s likley to be a section for swag.

 

Phoenix Sky Harbor has a holiday gift catalog

Airports, Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, , ,

I’m a big fan of doing all my holiday shopping at airports and this year Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has made it super easy and ultra-enticing to head there to get presents for everyone on my list.

The airport has created its own holiday catalog featuring items available in the shops at Sky Harbor. Flip through the catalog and you’ll see the price, airport shop name and location listed with each gift idea.

Arizona-centric and local gifts are featured and you’ll find items from local retailers such as Bunky Boutique and Roosevelt Row, holiday cookies from Tammie Coe and growlers of local craft beer from O.H.S.O Brewery.

There’s even a page featuring cactus candy and a variety of Arizona-themed chocolate ‘poop’.

It is only Tuesday, but this airport holiday catalog is definitely in the running for Airport Amenity of the Week.

 

JFK Airport gets a pop-up FAO Schwarz toy store

Fun Stuff, Shopping, , ,

Your next seatmate may be a … giant plush toy from an iconic toy shop.

Just in time for holiday shopping, a 300-square-foot FAO Schwarz pop-up shop has opened in Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The shop is FAO Schwarz’s first-ever travel retail store and it will only be at the airport through December 31, 2017.

The pop-up shop will sell a holiday collection that includes classic items, ranging from oversized plush animals to vintage toys and the infamous floor piano.

 

Fiesta Friday: Found at Cancun Int’l Airport

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, ,

It’s been a very long time since I’ve traveled through Cancun International Airport and last time I was there the shops and restaurant offerings were sort of pitiful.

But, things have definitely changed.  Not only is there a now-classic, giant Duty Free shop, but a fair number of shops offering Mexican candies and snacks.

 

And, here’s a classic to add to my running list of chocolate ‘poop’ for sale at airports.