Airport Experience® News - ACDBE Issue 2025

LATEST BUZZ

Top Left: Novecientos Grados by Tony Hawk, a new restaurant operated by Areas USA, will be a focal point in the concessions program at SAN’s new Terminal 1. Left: WHSmith North America will operate The Arts District Market as well as its proprietary InMotion tech store, along with two other retail concessions.

Above: Local brands Cutwater Bar and Restaurant and Lofty Coffee Co. are two of five F&B offerings to be operated by High Flying Foods in the first phase of the new terminal.

Restaurant and Lofty Coffee. Areas USA, in a joint venture with local restaurateur Elvin Lei, will operate Mediterranean restaurant Luna Grill, SIP Wine & Beer and Mexican restaurant Novecientos Grados by Tony Hawk. Other F&B concessions in the first phase include a new McDonald’s in a franchise agreement as well as Arizona founded JT Bros. Handcrafted Sandwiches, operated by small business Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, Inc. Concepts slated to open in the project’s second phase include Chick-fil-A, Kettner Exchange, Puesto, Mostra Coffee, El Pez, NOVO Brewing and Understory Bar (operated by High Flying Foods); as well as Mr. Moto Pizza and Carnitas Snack Shack (operated by Areas USA). For concessionaires like Areas USA, the chance to contribute to the New Terminal 1 was a chance to showcase the region’s well-regarded culinary scene, says director of brands Sal Mendola. “San

Diego boasts one of the most dynamic food and beverage scenes in the country, so we set out to create a culinary program that truly brings the spirit of the city into the airport,” says Mendola, highlighting Luna Grill’s award-winning Mediterranean cuisine as well as SIP Wine + Beer’s menu, which was developed with Emmy Award winning PBS Fresh Glass host Cassandra Schaeg to showcase women and BIPOC entrepreneurs in the alcohol industry. “Our showstopper, Novecientos Grados, created in collaboration with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, pays tribute to the rich Mexican influence on San Diego’s food and culture,” adds Mendola. “Tony wanted to share the foods he and other San Diegans ate growing up and what better chef to develop the menu than Celebrity Chef Claudette Zepeda? Chef Claudette, who grew up between Tijuana, Guadalajara and San Diego, is immensely talented and the perfect culinary storyteller.”

Convenience and specialty retail concepts set to open over the two phases include the SAN Supply Co., Univision Travel Store, Gaslamp Marketplace, Hip & Humble boutique and No Boundaries clothing store, all operated by Paradies Lagardère with multiple local small business joint partners. WHSmith and its partners will operate Liberty Station Gifts, The Arts District Market, a WHSmith branded store and The Commissary. “Our portfolio of concepts and merchandise selection have been curated thoughtfully to appeal to the diverse demographic of the SAN passenger,” says Toby Keir, CEO of WHSmith North America. As airport officials and concessionaires gear up to unveil the first phase of the long-awaited terminal later this year, Hall says they all look forward to “creating an exceptional airport customer experience for San Diego and the world.”

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AX NEWS JUNE 2025