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SALT LAKE CITY — Tony Weller is bringing a piece of Main Street to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Sam Weller's Bookstore plans to open a location in the airport by 2013 as part of the airport's first major retail and concessions shakeup in 50 years.
"We're really eager to have an airport presence," said Weller, owner of the downtown bookstore and son of its namesake.
Weller said he's wanted to have an airport location for the past decade to bring "a little local flavor" to the airport.
"When you go to another city, the difference in stores, in vendors, in restaurants is part of the experience," he said. "Tourists don't go to other cities to look for Starbucks and Barnes & Noble."
National airport retailer The Paradies Shops asked Sam Weller's Bookstore to be part of its bid to operate at the Salt Lake City International Airport.
The airport solicited proposals from both local and national vendors to better serve airport customers. The goal, airport officials said, is to revitalize the concessions program at the nation's 25th busiest airport.
The result is a mix of national and local companies being awarded space at the airport. Phased construction gets under way in July and is expected to take about 18 months to complete.
"It's essential that the airport be creative and use its limited space wisely," said Maureen Riley, executive director of the airport. "We are pleased to be able to offer our customers more choice, a blend of local flavor mixed with national brands they know and a more modern experience."
In addition to Sam Weller's Bookstore, airport newcomers will include Brighton Collectibles, CNBC News, Duty Free Americas, EA Sports, Economist News, Glamour Walkway, KidZoo, Kiehl's, No Boundaries, Radio Road, The Red Onion TravelMart, Sego Lily Spa, Sunset News, Tech Showcase and Wall Street Journal News.
A number of other retail shops and restaurants are coming to the airport. Among them are:
- Brighton Collectibles
- Cafe Rio
- KidZoo
- Radio Road
- Greek Souvlaki
- Sego Lily Spa
- Tech Showcase
- Market Street Grill
- Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta,
- Wall Street Journal News
- Smashburger
Two other stores, Utah! and Utah's Own, will feature local products. Visit Salt Lake also will have a spot in the airport to offer visitor information and promote local events.
The Deseret News and KSL-TV also will operate newsstands in the airport.
On the food and beverage side, airport visitors will be able to dine at Cafe Rio, French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, Greek Souvlaki, Market Street Grill, Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Raising Cane's Chicken, Smashburger and Veloce Cucina Toscana, among others.
Squatter's Pub Brewery will remain at the airport, as will Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Manchu Wok, Millcreek Coffee Roasters and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
One of the vendors that will be closing its doors as part of the changes is Air Terminal Gifts, a family-owned business that has operated at the airport for 50 years. The company currently operates 16 stores at the airport, covering roughly 70 percent of its retail space.
"We are extremely saddened to be closing our doors after 50 years," Kathy Crismon, CEO of Air Terminal Gifts, said in a news release. "This is sure to be a difficult time for our family, but we will always be eternally grateful to our employees and the friends we have made while running this company."
Air Terminal Gifts will still have a large presence at the airport, having partnered with Atlanta-based Hojeij Branded Foods on 15 food and beverage locations — including Wendy's and Pei Wei — planned for the airport.
Lou Bottino, vice president of The Paradies Shops, has informed airport officials that the company intends to offer positions to all hourly employees working for Air Terminal Gifts — at comparable wages.
A complete list of stores and restaurants that will be operating at the airport, along with a map of their locations, is available at www.slcairport.com.
E-mail:jpage@ksl.com
