Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2024

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“We just awarded new concessions contracts — coincidentally, they were expiring in the next year,” he explains. The program, which will be operated by SSP America , Paradies Lagardère and Mitchell Management , will feature a variety of concepts. Mitchell Management will operate fried chicken specialists Huey Magoo’s. SSP America will operate the popular Wahlburgers burger chain; local brand Patricks 1481, a tavern concept; Anna Maria Oyster Bar, a local seafood restaurant; Motorworks Brewing; Sarasota-based Rise & Nye’s, which is staffed by Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Peet’s Coffee and retail concepts the Shoppes at Siesta Key and Sarasota To Go. Paradies Lagardère will operate Mattison’s City Grille, an upscale restaurant featuring American, Mediterranean, Asian, Caribbean and Italian cuisine; Dunkin’ and Starbucks as well as retail concepts Seaside Mercantile and Suncoast Trading & Bar.

“This is the first time that we’re getting these local restaurants to participate under the master concessionary agreements, because our growth has made it economically feasible,” says Piccolo. “We’re really happy about that, because it gives local businesses buy-in to the airport, and also exposes those local restaurants to people coming to visit. so that when they leave the airport, if they like our experience here, they might patronize one of the establishments that they have in the rest of the community, whether it’s Mattison’s, Patricks or Anna Maria Oyster Bar,” he adds. Other Amenities Passengers will not only be able to enjoy Sarasota’s cuisine but will also be able to take in stunning airport views, notes Piccolo, adding that part of SRQ’s renovations include a large glass atrium looking out onto the airfield. “Both Patricks and Anna Maria Oyster bar will be right

in that area, so when you’re sitting there enjoying a meal or a drink you’re going to be able to watch the aircrafts and see the whole airfield as you sit down.” Another vantage point to watch incoming and outgoing flights will be SRQ’s 15th Street observation area, coming in at $2.2 million of the project’s overall budget in costs shared by the airport authority and Manatee County Government. The observation deck, built in collaboration with Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors and Stellar Development is designed “to reimagine a makeshift space currently used for plane spotting into a programmed observation area,” says Sweet Sparkman’s Todd Sweet. Creating “an immersive aviation experience for both enthusiasts and the general public,” the observation area features an aluminum shade canopy wing with anti-rain barriers for plane-spotters to protect themselves from the elements. The wing will also be adorned with airport informational signage, educational displays, and historical background on SRQ.

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AX NEWS APRIL/MAY 2024