New arrivals: Pittsburgh International Airport adding 15 concessionaires in $1.57 billion modernization

By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh International Airport is beefing up its retail offerings in advance of the opening of its new $1.57 billion landside terminal next year.

Billed as the largest expansion in more than a decade, the airport is adding 15 retailers and restaurants, while several existing ones will undergo makeovers.

Among the new concessions will be Shake Shack, which opened its first Pittsburgh location in the Strip District earlier this year; Jimmy John’s; Cafe Conmigo, a Wexford-based coffee and tea house; and breakfast restaurant Bad Egg.

Others include Stack + Press Delicatessen; Sambazon Acai, which sells acai-based food and beverages; Mi Casa Cantina, a Mexican restaurant; and Camden Food Market.

One new restaurant, Beercode Bar & Kitchen, opened this month in the airside building, where travelers get on and off planes. Others set to arrive include Champion City Sports, a Pittsburgh sports apparel and memorabilia where customers can play a sports simulator; MAC, a global makeup and cosmetics retailer; and Duquesne & Co., a gift and accessories retailer featuring local artists.

“More shopping and dining choices have been a top request from our travelers, and we are excited to introduce 15 new concessions that complement the construction of our new terminal and airside renovations,” Bryan Dietz, senior vice president of air service and commercial development, said in the airport’s announcement of the new retailers.

Concessionaires receiving makeovers will include Johnston and Murphy and InMotion, a technology store that also will be adding a second airport location focusing on Apple products.

Many of the new retailers will open in the existing airside building, although the airport noted that some will be located in the new landside terminal, which will be used for ticketing, security and baggage claim.

Airport officials did not release hours, locations and opening dates for the new concessionaires in Tuesday’s announcement.

The influx of new tenants is the first since the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International, ousted longtime concessions manager Fraport Pittsburgh two years ago and took over operation of the popular Airmall.

After extensive litigation, the authority paid Fraport $10.5 million to settle the case after the state Superior Court ordered the operator’s reinstatement.

Mark Belko: [email protected].