Ford airport checks in vendors

Ford airport checks in vendors

A shot of the taps at the Bell’s Brewery at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport officially welcomed its newest vendors this week.

Local

The airport hosted a private ceremony today to welcome the new HMSHost-operated airport restaurants, Bell’s Brewery and Greens, and the Grand Rapids Magazine Travel Retail Store to the airport.

The renovation of the newsstand and concessions has focused on creating a sense of place at the airport.

“What I wanted to see was to bring more local flavor into our terminal retail and concessions,” said Brian Ryks, airport executive director, to the Business Journal previously. “I think it is important for people that are flying into our community or departing on their way back home . . . to get a sense of place in our airport of what our region represents and so that was one of the goals.”

Greens is a HMSHost brand restaurant that offers healthy, fresh and locally sourced menu options.

Bell’s Brewery, which has moved into the space previously occupied by the restaurant Home Turf, offers travelers a taste of Beer City, U.S.A., albeit imported from Kalamazoo.

At the Grand Rapids Magazine Travel Retail Store, travelers will be able to find several local products, as well as a Schuler Books & Music book department.

National

Ryks added that it is important to have a mix of local and nationally recognized brands for travelers to choose from — and Starbucks, a favorite concession, remains at its location at the airport.

Renovation

The changes are part of a larger plan for a build out of the exterior wall of the Grand Hall, which will eventually include more concessions, at least one sit-down restaurant and retail vendors.

The rest of the Grand Hall will be converted into a consolidated checkpoint.