The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, American Airlines, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports unveiled six new retail spaces at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 8 (T8), operated by women- and minority-owned local businesses. This announcement is part of the $125 million redevelopment program for T8, showcasing a new initiative aimed at creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The small business retail accelerator program, developed by URW, offers flexible deal terms and affordable, small-format spaces, reducing the upfront and design costs typically associated with airport concessions. These new spaces, including two inline stores and four kiosks, are dedicated to businesses from southeast Queens, greater Queens, or the New York City metropolitan area. The local businesses were selected based on their unique products, scalability, and business plans, offering a variety of goods such as jewelry, home decor, hand-drawn illustrations, honey-based products, vegan skincare, jams, tonics, and health supplements.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole emphasized the significance of supporting local businesses, stating that the new concessions bring unique, locally crafted products to JFK, benefiting passengers while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs. “Helping local businesses access concessions opportunities at Terminal 8 is an asset for our passengers,” said O’Toole.
The project, aimed at creating a “New York sense of place,” also underscores the commitment to extending the economic benefits of the $19 billion JFK redevelopment to the surrounding community. URW’s program has been designed with a support system to help small businesses thrive, and its success has prompted interest from airports across the country, according to Dominic Lowe, U.S. chief operating officer of URW.
American Airlines, through its partnership with the Port Authority and URW, has also expressed excitement about the new retail opportunities for local Queens and New York-area businesses. Vice President of Corporate Real Estate Amanda Zhang noted that the accelerator program provides small businesses with affordable access to airport retail space, connecting them with a global customer base.
The JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council, which works closely with the Port Authority, continues to play a key role in ensuring that the redevelopment provides meaningful opportunities for local businesses and minorities. Co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, the council has been instrumental in advocating for a 30% MWBE contracting goal across all aspects of the JFK redevelopment program.
Through these efforts, the Port Authority, American Airlines, and URW are not only enhancing the passenger experience at JFK but also contributing to the growth of small, diverse businesses within the community.
