Above: An aerial view of the New Terminal One at JFK (render).

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PNYNJ) the New Terminal One (NTO), and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports have announced today that three graduates of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions (IOC) will join WHSmith North America on a team of joint-venture partners to deliver best-in-class travel essentials at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s New Terminal One.

The three New York-based firms will contribute products and investment through an incubator program led by joint-venture partner Love From USA to offer best-in-class merchandise from global, national, and local brands promoting a unique New York sense of place.

The travel essentials programme, which includes six retail spaces totalling approximately 8,400 square feet throughout the new terminal, will offer a diverse, high-quality retail experience that celebrates New York, plus an array of first-to-airport national and global brands with shop-in-shop experiences.

The curated selection of New York City brands includes: Made in Queens, Magnolia Bakery, Jacques Torres Chocolates, and Greyston Bakery.

Locally made goods from New York City’s boroughs will feature: granola from Queens-based Baked by Noon; art from Johnnerdraws; cookies from Brooklyn Bites; coffees and syrups from Transcenden Coffee; handmade soaps from Treestar; drinks from Red Jacket Juices and infusions from Salut; brittle from Brittle & Beyond and caramels from Cobblestone Candies.

“As we count down the months to welcoming our first customers, we are thrilled to unveil our travel essentials retail experience designed to elevate the standard for international travel from the iconic city of New York while providing unmatched convenience,” said Jennifer Aument, CEO of New Terminal One. “From beloved New York brands to exclusive products from local businesses, travelers can look forward to a vibrant shopping experience that captures the energy and creativity of our dynamic city.”

PNYNJ said the local goods and flavours reflect the Port Authority, NTO and URW’s collaboration and commitment to including diversity and local business participation as the Port Authority redevelops John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) into a world-class international gateway.

“We are delighted to welcome more Institute of Concessions graduates to JFK as we get closer to the opening of the New Terminal One,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Our region is the front door to the country for millions of international visitors, so we want to be the first to show off the best of our hospitality upon arrival and ensure that energy stays with them through to departure.”

Training to be the best

In July 2023, the Port Authority launched a specialised training program, the Institute of Concessions (IOC), offering extensive training and mentoring intended to increase the number of local and diverse airport concessionaires included in the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK.

By completing the IOC, local businesses will be equipped with the necessary skills to competitively bid for concession opportunities, win contracts, and effectively operate concessions within the airport.

Since its launch, more than 40 local businesses have graduated from the program and several have earned places in the airport’s concessions programs as joint-venture partners with larger firms or as direct operators of concessions.

The goal is to create a pipeline of local and diverse businesses that can demonstrate to the Port Authority and its terminal partners their ability to successfully manage concessions and contribute to the overall success of the airport.

Showcasing Local Excellence

The three IOC graduates participating in the travel essentials retail spaces  — Beautiful Amore Skincare, Rincon Salvedoreno, and Brooklyn Blend — are part of an incubator program led by joint-venture partner Love From USA, a 100% airport certified disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE).

“As a proud graduate of the Institute of Concessions, I am honored to be part of the winning team selected for New Terminal One at JFK Airport. Participating in a successful request for proposal (RFP) process so soon after completing the program is both humbling and inspiring,” said Amerrah Brown, founder and CEO of Beautiful Amore Skincare.

“Bringing Love From New York to JFK’s Terminal One is a true honor,” added Patricia Chinander, the CEO, founder and owner of Love From USA Group Inc. “New York is more than a destination, it’s a feeling, a rhythm, a story that belongs to the city and the state. From the energy of the boroughs to the charm of upstate, we’re proud to showcase the makers, artists, and small businesses that make New York so extraordinary.

Love from USA will also operate a specialty retail store, Love From New York.

Additional joint-venture partners include New York-based C&E Global Solutions and On-Site Retailers Inc. based in Baltimore. The next business outreach event is scheduled for July 23 to increase the local product supplier pipeline for the New Terminal One.

“We are incredibly honored for this opportunity to be able to collaborate with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, New Terminal One, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on this project. With the opening of these new concepts inside the highly anticipated New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport, WHSmith North America is marking another milestone in the travel retail space,” said Huw Crwys-Williams, CEO of WHSmith North America.

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<strong>Travellers at the New Terminal One can also look forward to six unique retail concepts — many of which will be open 24/7 — that offer a dynamic product mix and unparalleled convenience, including: WHSmith Travel Essentials, The Canopy; The Queens Borough Market; Skybound by WHSmith; The Last Stop: and Las Artes Mercado.</strong>