US. Just over a year after winning the contract to develop and manage Baltimore/Washington International Airport’s (BWI) retail programme, BAA USA marked the official opening of its newest Airmall additions, as part of the overall grand opening of BWI’s terminal A/B.
Twenty different specialty retailers and food operators join a roster of national and regional brands throughout the airport, offering what BAA USA said was “greater selection, value and superior customer service”.
“We are delighted to be a part of this historical opening. It has been a tremendous group effort to bring this project to fruition,” said BAA USA Vice President and Regional Director Mark Knight. “Our team is committed to fulfilling the ever-changing needs of air travellers, introducing exciting concepts and offering high levels of customer service. This grand opening is just the beginning of what’s to come at the BWI Airmall.”
BAA Maryland brings a “˜regular mall’ pricing guarantee to airport travellers who frequent the mall, aiming to providing consumers with more value for their money. Under this commitment, a cup of coffee at the airport costs the same as a cup of coffee at a comparable neighbourhood store. “We are 100% “˜street-priced,” Knight added. “Customers will not be overcharged for their purchases at the airport shops and restaurants.” BAA Maryland reinforces its pledge with a money-back guarantee and toll-free customer hot line.
In addition to attractive pricing, shoppers can enjoy a broad selection of regional and national brands under BAA’s developer approach to retail management. Knight explained, “Our goal is to provide the highest quality travel experience at our airports. The key to accomplishing this is to lease space to a well-defined mix of retailers, food purveyors and service providers that bring high levels of service. While national brands are the most recognisable to those who reside outside the region, we believe a successful airport retail programme should incorporate local brands, touting the best offerings of the Baltimore-Washington region.”
Specialty retailers and food operators in the new terminal A/B
Au Bon Pain: Boston-based Au Bon Pain is the nation’s leading urban bakery café serving distinctive breads and pastries baked fresh on the premises as well as specialty soups, sandwiches, salads, coffees and other café beverages. Au Bon Pain also offers in-café interactive Nutrition Kiosks.
Auntie Anne’s: Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels, an international, family-owned, franchise is locally operated by Doug and Germaine Letridge of Columbia, Maryland. Auntie Anne’s pretzels come in flavours like Glazin’ Raisin, Cinnamon Sugar, Garlic and Whole Wheat.
Bon Voyage: With convenient stops in Tyson’s Galleria, Union Station and beyond, Bon Voyage is continuing the expansion of its travel stores across the region. The Potomac retailer sells luggage and travel accessories including Tumi, Hartmann, Atlantic and Swiss Army, all competitively priced.
Borders: Borders, a leading global retailer of books offers customers the excellent service and convenience of a bookstore in an airport mall setting. The store carries best-selling books and magazines.
California Tortilla: California Tortilla is a “fresh-Mex” Rockville-based restaurant owned and operated by Patricia Reilly. Customers can enjoy fresh, healthy food offerings including breakfast and a children’s menu.
Celebrate Maryland: Celebrate Maryland is a state of Maryland souvenir shop that sells regional foods, apparel, collectibles, mugs and crab dinnerware.
Charlie Chiang’s KWAI: is a Gaithersburg, Md.-based company. Since 1976, Chiang has been serving patrons in Virginia and Washington D.C. his contemporary interpretation of traditional Chinese cuisine. The restaurant features soups, stir fry, noodle dishes, and fresh sushi.
Church’s Chicken: Known for its Southern-style chicken, Church’s Chicken serves Southern specialties including fried okra, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and biscuits.
Fire and Ice: Fire and Ice is a Maryland-based specialty jewellery retailer featuring gem stones, art glass, one-of-a-kind fossils, carvings, and hand-crafted silver jewellery.
Godiva Chocolatier: With production facilities in Belgium and the US, Godiva Chocolatier is recognized around the world as the leader in fine chocolates. Passengers can choose from Godiva’s famous truffles, shell-moulded chocolate pieces, European-style biscuits, gourmet coffees and hot cocoa.
Hudson News: In addition to the latest newspapers and periodicals, this newsstand offers a wide range of snacks, beverages, film, batteries, health & beauty aids, traveller convenience items, tobacco products, candy, and souvenirs.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers: This Hampstead, Md.-based clothier brings its signature products to customers at BWI Airport in its 100th year of business. One of the nation’s leading retailers of clothing for men, Jos. A. Bank sells men’s classically-styled tailored and casual clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories.
mamma ilardo’s Another newcomer to BWI is Maryland’s own hot pizza maker, mamma ilardo’s. The pizzeria offers New York style, deep dish and its famous breakfast pizza.
Mayorga Coffee: Mayorga Coffee, a Washington, D.C.-based coffee purveyor serving espresso, coffee, teas and desserts, arrives at BWI through operator George Walker, lead partner of BWI Partners. The unit is a smaller version of the popular cafés in Bethesda, Germantown, Silver Spring and Rockville.
McDonald’s: An American Institution, McDonald’s has been serving burgers and fries for 50 years. This is the first store in BWI.
News Connection: A “Real-Time” information source for travellers, offering local news and weather from authoritative news sources on flat-screen monitors. The store also sells local, national, and international newspapers and periodicals.
Obrycki’s: Obrycki’s, the famous place for seafood in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point, is coming to Concourse B, late 2005. The new Obrycki’s will serve its signature crab cakes and bring touches of Old Baltimore to BWI.
Phillips Famous Seafood: Serving vacationers and seafood lovers since 1956, Phillips Famous Seafood brings its signature menu to BWI. A trusted name in seafood, this Ocean City-based family seafood restaurant is known for its blue crab meat and crab cakes.
Quiznos Sub: Quiznos offers a fresh alternative to traditional fast food with toasted signature subs on baguette-style bread. Also on the menu are soups, salads, desserts and a kids’ menu.
Sunglass Hut/Watch Station: A recognized leader in specialty niche retailing, Sunglass Hut offers brand-name eyewear from top designers like Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Oakley and Ray-Ban. Watch Station sells fashionable analogue, digital and multi-function timepieces from top-brands including Bulova, Fossil, Anne Klein, Nike and G-Shock.
Villa Pizza: A New York original, Villa Pizza has more than 300 stores in 38 states and four countries and is known for its “homemade from scratch” pizza dough and Italian specialties.
About BAA Maryland: BAA Maryland is the developer and manager of a new retail program at BWI Airport. The initial phase of the two-year project, which encompasses approximately 140,000sq ft of new and refurbished concession space, is in progress. A variety of new retailers and eateries will be opening new stores throughout the transition period.
BAA Maryland is a project of BAA USA, an affiliate of BAA plc, the world’s leading airport company.
