Landing Soon: New Restaurants and Retail

The Port of Seattle announced today more dining and retail options are coming to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and updated passengers on available dining options during renovation-related construction. As the Port moves forward with major capital development projects such as the North Satellite Modernization and new International Arrivals Facility, the Port is also significantly increasing customer choices, business opportunities and local jobs by expanding from 85 to 135 airport dining and retail establishments.

Ivar’s, Pallino’s and Subway will soon begin serving limited hot and cold menu options from food kiosks stationed next to the Central Terminal Renovation. Two new restaurants opened last week: Floret by Café Flora, the first full-service vegetarian restaurant to launch service at Sea-Tac, and Qdoba opened a 24-hour full-service restaurant with an expanded menu. Many airport restaurants recently expanded their hours to serve the morning rush including Seattle Tap Room, now open for breakfast at 5 a.m., Anthony’s Restaurant in Central Terminal, now open at 4:30 a.m., and all Starbucks locations, now open at 4 a.m. Dillettante, McDonald’s and Qdoba serve customers 24 hours a day.

Later this year, Sea-Tac will open at least eight new restaurant concepts 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.

Local brands Skillet, Sunset Fried Chicken and Caffé D’arte will open Sea-Tac Airport locations in 2019 and 2020, along with local retailers Filson and Elliot Bay Book Company. In addition to expanding choice and variety for customers, all new vendors will advance a Pacific Northwest sensibility; support quality jobs; reduce environmental impact; create opportunities for small, local and disadvantaged businesses; and meet business qualifications.

These new restaurant vendors are committed to using durable, compostable or recyclable serviceware and recycling and composting within their stores. Many Sea-Tac vendors also donate uneaten meals to the Des Moines Food Bank, a 10-year Port of Seattle program that led to 38,000 pounds of ready meal donations in 2017.

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.

The Port has also set ambitious economic development goals to increase overall employment through dining and retail; increase revenue to the Port; and increase the gross sales of small, local, disadvantaged and certified Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE).This federal program helps provide a level playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged firms competing for airport dining and retail business.

“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,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire. 

 “We appreciate the emphasis the Port places on partnership and championing the local, women- and minority-owned firms in our region,” said Chef Monica Dimas of Sunset Fried Chicken. “Our fried chicken makes an amazing first and lasting impression. We are thrilled to share our passion for food and this community with Sea-Tac passengers.” 

 “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,” said Daniel Nguyen, owner, Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen and 9th & Pike Artisanal Sandwiches & Salads.

 “We appreciate the Port’s openness to public feedback and commitment to a fair process. Our experience convinced us that more diverse businesses should explore opportunities at the airport but might be discouraged by cost and complexity. We appreciate the Port’s outreach and we support any action or initiative to encourage diverse businesses so that Sea-Tac Airport can truly showcase the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the Pacific Northwest,” said Alex Llorente, of the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council, who participated as a third party observer to the bidding process.

 “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, said 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.”

NEW RESTAURANT CONCEPTS FOR 2019 AND 2020

1. Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen—Founded by Pacific Northwest native Daniel Nguyen and his family in Camas, Washington. The family of Vietnamese immigrants opened Bambuza in downtown Seattle in 2003 and has five locations in Portland that serve Vietnamese menu selections featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  This is the first time this ACDBE small business won as a lead operator at Sea-Tac Airport, and they are mentoring other small businesses as part of a joint venture.  
2. Caffe D’arte—A locally owned, Italia coffee roasting company originally started by Mauro Cipolla after moving from Italy to the Northwest in the 1970s. Locations in Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. Operated by Concourse Concessions, LLC, a current small business, ACDBE tenant owned by principals who were born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, with three locations at the airport.
3. Lummi Marché & Bar—Curated by Chef Thierry Rautureau, this petit bistro and artisan market will be filled with unique French spins on Pacific Northwest regional bounty, celebrating the joie de vivre of local abundance.  Operated by SSP America with an ACDBE joint venture with Cyclo Corporation and Hyflyers, LLC.
4. Seattle Beer Union—Inspired by the local beer movement, visitors will experience the best local spirits, wines and brews from Washington breweries, distilleries and wineries along with a seasonally fresh and on- trend menu crafted by acclaimed Seattle Chef Jason Stoneburner. Operated by HMSHost partnering with a local Latin small business, La Plaza International, Inc.
5. Skillet—Born on the streets of Seattle and grown up with four area locations, this concept builds on the iconic Skillet Street Food. Started from a scrappy Airstream food truck, Skillet is all about comfort through elevated American food prepared with classic technique and seasonal ingredients.  Operated by HMSHost partnering with a local, Latin small business, La Plaza International, Inc., Skillet will be in two locations—one at Concourse C and one in the North Satellite.
6. Sourced Market—Showcasing the best in gourmet fare from the Pacific Northwest region, Sourced Market will delight with exceptional, handcrafted deli dishes and regionally sourced products. Operated by SSP America with an ACDBE joint venture with Cyclo Corporation and Hyflyers, LLC.
7. Sunset Fried Chicken—This thriving Seattle success story, led by Monica Dimas, is a gathering place to celebrate the culinary masterpiece of the fried chicken sandwich. Only the highest ingredient standards will come through its quick, affordable and convenient walk-up window in Capital Hill, and this new location on Concourse D. Operated by HMSHost partnering with a local Latin small business, La Plaza International, Inc.
8. Starbucks—The classic Seattle coffee that travelers cannot live without. Located in Baggage Claim comforting travelers searching for that essential sip while waiting for their luggage, jumping on a shuttle or heading home. Operated by HMSHost partnering with a local, Latin small business, La Plaza International, Inc.
9. Vyne Washington Tasting Room—Vyne brings the traveler on a cutting-edge and interactive wine voyage—an indulgent, culinary escape into the wonderful world of Washington wines. Operated by SSP America in an ACDBE joint venture with Cyclo Corporation (owned by Seattle resident, Taylor Hoang) and Hyflyers, LLC.
10. 9th & Pike Artisanal Sandwiches & Salads—Operated by Bambuza, a small, locally-owned ACDBE business, 9th & Pike was inspired by the original, standing-room-only sandwich counter and satisfies the demand for healthy, Northwest-inspired sandwiches, wraps and salads in a gourmet-quality quick-serve concept. 9th & Pike will operate two locations on Concourse C and pre-security on the north esplanade.

NEW RETAIL CONCEPTS FOR 2019 AND 2020 

1. Elliott Bay Book Co.—Since its founding in 1973, Elliott Bay has grown to become Seattle’s landmark independent bookstore. From the original Pioneer Square location with sweeping cedar shelves, book lovers will be inspired to find that next essential read or the perfect gift for another book lover. To be located on Concourse C operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson, MCSB, Inc. and Warren News & Gifts, Inc. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport.
2. ExOfficio—Celebrating the traveler by crafting apparel and gear that allow customers to experience the world unhindered. Every product is focused on one goal – comfortable performance. Operated by Marmot Mountain, LLC, and currently operated in the Central Terminal. This new location will be at the intersection of Concourse A and B.
3. Filson—Filson is Seattle. Opening in 1897 to outfit prospectors headed to the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush, Filson is made for people on the move, whether the destination is city, field, forest or ocean. This local concept ACDBE partnership operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson, MCSB and WNNG. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport.
4. Hudson/Alki/Hudson News—A combination store to be located in the Concourse D hardstand, and operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson, MCSB and WNNG. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport.
5. Maui Jims—American-based sunglass manufacturer originally inspired by the beauty and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. Started as a small business selling sunglasses on the beach, and has since grown into a full-fledged collection of more than 125 sunglass styles. Operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson Group, MCSB and WNNG. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport.
6. Planewear—A unique retail store experience and prominent purveyor of aviation and travel related products and apparel for everyone, from the most casual of travelers to the aviation professional. A small, locally-owned ACDBE that currently operates at the airport.
7. Sub Pop—Building on the success of over three years at the airport, this updated Sub Pop retail space will feature new, record store design elements and technology, old-school vinyl LP bins, an expanded range of streetwear, books, and more. Sub Pop is a locally owned business that will remain in the same location at the edge of Concourse C and the Central Terminal.
8. Something Silver—A local Seattle, women-owned and operated ACDBE, small business based in Seattle – bringing quality artisan jewelry to the Pacific Northwest for 24 years. Featuring up-to-the-minute fashionable accessories alongside a collection of timeless, everyday classics, all at an exceptional value. To be located on Concourse C. Operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson Group, MCSB and WNNG. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport.
9. Tumi—The world’s leading international business, accessory, and travel lifestyle brand. From overnight escapes to epic journeys, Tumi has just the bag or travel accessory to fit the leisure or business traveler. Operated by Seattle Air Ventures, a joint venture between Hudson Group, MCSB and WNNG. Seattle Air Ventures operates multiple locations throughout the airport, with Tumi to be located on Concourse B.

More Details on Sea-Tac Airport’s Dining and Retail Program

The Port is in the middle of a long-term dining and retail redevelopment to significantly expand to more than 135 dining and retail choices. The redevelopment of this program will increase jobs at the airport, create new opportunities for small, local and disadvantaged businesses, and offer the traveling public high-quality dining, shopping, and personal service options. 

Interested firms can register at our leasing website to be notified about new leasing opportunities as well as training programs.