PHOENIX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s 8th concourse at Terminal 4 will be opening this summer, and today, Phoenix City Council approved the recommended proposals for new restaurants, shops, and a common-use lounge at the new concourse.

Now, America’s Friendliest Airport® will have even more local dining options for travelers to enjoy while visiting the airport and local shops. Phoenix Sky Harbor’s goal is to provide a mix of national and local brands for Phoenix passengers, including local business and minority representation.

“With local businesses like Changing Hands bookstore and Melrose Pharmacy, along with a statewide favorite like Eegee's, we will now be showcasing some of the best we have to offer," said Mayor Kate Gallego. "I am always committed to creating opportunities for small businesses to succeed. Placing these organizations in front of global travelers is a great way to accelerate their growth and accentuate the things that make our community such a fabulous place to be."

The Food and Beverage Concessions Phase 1 Package has been awarded to The Grove, Inc. The Grove, Inc. is a woman-owned business and has committed to 40% small business participation. Local concepts Pedal Haus Brewery and Berry Divine- Acai Bowls will be included as part of the Grove’s operations; regional concepts Bobby’s Burgers and Eegee’s; and national concept Chick-Fil-A.

“We are grateful to be part of the beautiful and innovative concourse and thrilled to expand our operations to the great city of Phoenix,” said Nina Madonia, CEO of The Grove, Inc.

Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, LLC was awarded the Food and Beverage Concessions Phase 1 Package 2. This is another small business opportunity for food and beverage concessions. Their outlet, Sip Coffee & Beer, will feature menu concepts from local Arizona companies such as CULT Artisan Beverage Company, Native Ground Coffee, Mother Road Brewing Company, Tres Leches Café, Wild Tonic Kombucha, Half Moon Empanadas, San Tan Brewery, Real American Hero Coffee Company, Cactus Licker Coffee, Wild Tonic, and Salud Eats.

“I am excited to showcase so many small, local, and minority-owned businesses,” says Gonzalo de la Melena, Founder & CEO of Emerging Domestic Market Ventures, LLC. "Sky Harbor is an economic engine for Phoenix, and including diverse companies that reflect our community is good for business and our economy.”

Access to local products and stores is also important for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. With the Retail Concessions Phase, 1 Package award to The Marshall Retail Group, LLC, travelers will see unique and quality merchandise emphasizing the local culture. In fact, The Marshall Retail Group, LLC will incorporate several popular Valley retail institutions into their shops, including Changing Hands Bookstore and Melrose Pharmacy. One retail space is a news and convenience store with specialty retail within the space. Marshall Retail Group has formed a joint venture with CASA Unlimited, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Melrose Pharmacy and will have a 25% small business participation rate for the space. Retail space 2 is a high-tech store that will also include CASA Unlimited, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Melrose Pharmacy.

“On behalf of the entire Marshall Retail Group organization, as well as our local Joint Venture partners - ACDBE certified Joya Kizer of Casa Unlimited, local partner Teresa Dickinson of Melrose Pharmacy, and local partners Cindy Dach and Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore - we are honored and thrilled to participate in the retail development of the new Eighth Concourse at PHX,” said Roderick McOwan, Chief Development Officer of The Marshall Retail Group, a WH Smith Company. “With our locally focused Uptown Phoenix marketplace concept, which was created, designed, and curated specifically for PHX and contains a wide array of local brands and vendors such as Changing Hands bookstore, Melrose Pharmacy, and Made Art Boutique as well as national brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Herschel, L’Occitane and L’Oreal, together with InMotion, the nation’s leading travel destination for the premium electronics and tech accessories, we are looking forward to Creating a Unique Retail Experience for the PHX traveler.”

Additionally, the 8^th concourse will feature a common-use lounge. AD Partnership LLC dba Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club has received the award recommendation. The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club will feature 3,500 square feet of space and provide travelers with access to a destination to relax or work. The lounge will highlight many local elements and feature a specially curated menu. The lounge will be open to travelers of all airlines, and access will be available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers and Members of Priority Pass or by purchasing a day pass. "We are thrilled to be part of this exciting new concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and look forward to creating a locally-inspired lounge destination that provides travelers with an elevated and unique value,” said Dana Pouwels, Chase Sapphire Lounge General Manager. 

“As the first and last place people visit when they travel to Phoenix, I am pleased to see local brands represented in our newest Sky Harbor Airport concourse,” District 6 Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said. “We are giving travelers a taste of our city, and we are also expanding exposure for local businesses. It’s a win-win.”

Restaurants and shops will open in phases through 2022 and 2023. The 130,000 square foot concourse at Terminal 4, Phoenix Sky Harbor’s busiest terminal, will also feature a variety of customer amenities, from access to charging stations throughout the area, an Animal Relief Area, a nursing room, art, and beautiful views of South Mountain and the surrounding areas. Learn more about the new concourse here.  

“There is no better way to welcome thousands of visitors to our newest concourse at Terminal 4 than with some of our best and local small businesses: Pedal Haus Brewery, Changing Hands Bookstore, and Melrose Pharmacy are incredible additions,” District 7 Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari said. “The Grove did incredible work to support many woman-owned businesses who have a record of also supporting our smallest entrepreneurs.”

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport^®, has an annual economic impact of more than $38 billion. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 1,200 aircraft and more than 125,000 passengers arrived and departed from Sky Harbor daily. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the airport.