Bruegger's

THE MOODIE REPORT: BAA Cleveland strikes latest concession agreements at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

By Dermot Davitt

BAA Cleveland, which operates the Airmall at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), has struck concession deals with three new brands, which will open outlets at the location.

Foreign exchange retailer Travelex will operate two locations – one post-security (335sq ft) and one pre-security (383sq ft). The pre-security option was previously not available at the airport.

BAA Cleveland is also introducing two new food & beverage concepts, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels (526sq ft) and Bruegger’s Bagels (934sq ft). Both are owned and operated by local franchisees. Both also qualify for certification under the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programme, said BAA Cleveland.

“This slate of new units will add to an already impressive group of retailers set to open,” noted Tina LaForte, Vice President of BAA Cleveland. “Moreover, each one will offer their products and services at ‘Regular Mall Prices…Guaranteed,’ a hallmark of the Airmall that combines high quality with fair prices.”

“Our goal is to transform Cleveland Hopkins International Airport into a gateway for a city on the move, and a greatly enhanced concessions programme will go a long way toward reaching that goal,” added Ricky Smith, Director of the Department of Port Control.

“This newest group of stores and services consists of a mix of recognisable national brands, bringing further depth to a premium line-up of retail offerings.”

These new units join seven others that have also signed leases to operate at the Airmall: I-Tech X-perience, Johnston & Murphy, a new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Store, Taxco Sterling, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen, Green Leaf’s…Beyond Great Salads, and Bananas, Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt. BAA Cleveland announced lease agreements for those seven units in March.

The City of Cleveland struck a 10-year contract with BAA Cleveland in February 2008 to develop and manage concessions at CLE. The city said it the Airmall will double the current participation rate of local and minority-owned companies, double the number of concession jobs, and double retail sales figures during the next decade.

When complete, the Airmall at CLE will occupy 76,000sq ft of retail space.

ABOUT BAA CLEVELAND

BAA Cleveland is the developer and manager of the retail and concessions program at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. BAA Cleveland is a project of BAA USA, the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at the Airmalls at Pittsburgh International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E).

BAA USA is an affiliate of BAA Limited, the world’s leading airport company, which owns and operates seven UK airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow). For more information, visit www.airmall.com or www.baausa.com.