The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, American Airlines and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield today announced 24 additional duty-free and food hall brands arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8 as part of the terminal’s expansion, which includes a $125 million commercial redevelopment program. All leasable space has now been awarded at Terminal 8, with new concessions already starting to open. The expanded terminal will bring iconic local businesses, luxury global brands, and unique new and first-to-airport concepts intended to elevate the passenger experience and highlight the best of New York City and Queens.
The Boroughs Food Hall, operated by a joint venture among MERA US and small businesses. New York City-based Tsion Enterprises, Texas-based Food Cycle LLC and Massachusetts-based South River Partners, will deliver a curated food hall offering passengers an elevated experience spanning local specialties, street food, upscale dining, health-conscious options and comfort food under one roof.
Avolta’s Dufry, duty-free operator of Terminal 8, is bringing a refreshed collection of luxury boutiques replicating an open-air shop environment inspired by NYC neighborhood shopping and markets. Duty-free partners include Queens-based The Nourish Spot, New York-based Sullivan Hernandez Group, Atlanta-based Kellee Communications and Florida-based Tarra Enterprises, Inc.
“From the outset, our goal in building a new JFK International Airport has been to create passenger facilities that are among the best in the world,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Terminal 8’s new lineup featuring food & beverage concessions and shopping experiences from around the region as well as notable global brands, will create a passenger experience that is uniquely New York and best in class.”
“Locally owned, iconic concessions alongside national brands will create a sense of place at Terminal 8 that is unique to our region and a passenger experience that is world class,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Across the region, we are creating airports that express the creativity and vitality of our region through concessions, art and architecture.”
“This bold lineup embodies our commitment to creating destinations that bring together the best cuisines and shopping venues reflective of the borough of Queens and New York City, iconic global brands, and unique products, experiences, and amenities to benefit our customers and our communities,” said Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s Vice President, JFK, Ian Carter. “Thank you to the Port Authority and American Airlines for giving us the opportunity to redefine the travel experience.”
“We are excited to transform the food hall and create an all-new duty free to modernize the customer experience at JFK Terminal 8,” said American Airlines Vice President of Corporate Real Estate Amanda Zhang. “The additional brands announced today continue to showcase American’s partnership with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and URW to bring the culture and community of Queens, New York City and New York State to Terminal 8.”
“We are honored and thrilled to introduce The Boroughs Food Hall at JFK Terminal 8 as our newest concessionary project,” said MERA US Division President Rafael Aguirre. “For this innovative space, we´ll bring together a curated selection of culinary offerings from renowned local and global brands, ensuring every traveler can enjoy fresh, high-quality meals while on the go. As we continue to transform JFK into a world-class gateway, the food hall is a testament to our commitment to providing passengers with both exceptional convenience and a taste of the diverse flavors that New York has to offer.”
“We have an ambitious vision to redefine the duty-free shopping experience at Terminal 8 and are proud that The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, and American Airlines share that vision,” said Avolta North America President and CEO Steve Johnson. “This is a pivotal moment in JFK’s evolution, so it is an honor to be selected as the partner that will transform T8. Combined with our recently awarded contracts to bring new travel convenience, specialty retail, and food and beverage concepts to the terminal, this expanded partnership will allow us to design a world-class travel experience across all lines of Avolta’s business.”
The Port Authority and URW have worked with community businesses and purveyors of local food & beverage selections in Terminal 8 which provide a sense of place and ensure that all qualified businesses desire to compete to serve our passengers. We have relied on the assistance of local elected officials and community partners in our extensive community outreach. Today’s announcement, alongside the five small businesses participating in the Retail Accelerator program announced at the end of 2024, represents more than 50percent NYC-based operators, more than 50percent NYC-based brands and over 15 brands new to airports.
Two of the newly announced concessions will be operated by graduates of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions, a program that was launched in 2023 to help small, local business owners learn the skills necessary to compete for opportunities at JFK.
Featuring New York’s hottest culinary offerings in one food hall: The Boroughs
- Cobblestones, a well-known local, Queens bar with a welcoming atmosphere serving craft beers, overlooking the new entertainment and activation area known as “The Show.”
- Black Star Bakery & Cafe, with five locations across NYC, including Long Island City and Queens
- Mito, with six locations in New York City, including Forest Hills and Queens, will offer modern Japanese dishes including grab-and-go, sushi and more.
- Naya, a vibrant Middle Eastern concept taking off in New York City, will appeal to passengers with its “create your own bowl” concept.
- Flavortown Kitchen, where celebrity Chef Guy Fieri will showcase his extravagant and indulgent creations through its menu.
- BKLYN Blend, a juice bar and health food restaurant in Brooklyn and a Port Authority Institute of Concessions graduate.
- Bagel Boss will serve its authentic New York-style bagels that capture the essence of classic deli culture.
- Le Petit Gourmet, of Garden City, offers a selection of high-quality foods to provide a culinary experience.
Introducing the best in luxury and duty free: Dufry, part of Avolta
- W. 12th St. Market, inspired by New York City’s Meatpacking District, will offer products from local artisans, unique souvenirs and delectable treats, along with liquor and tobacco.
- Beauty on 5th will feature an alluring lineup of luxury boutiques featuring world-renowned perfume and cosmetics brands like Dior, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Kiehl’s, La Mer, YSL and Charlotte Tilbury.
- The Park @ T8, designed to mirror the lush landscape of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, will offer a sophisticated lineup of fragrances, skincare products, confections, and premium wines and spirits.
- BKLYN Shopping, specializing in fragrances, skincare products, confections, wines and spirits in a compact walkthrough setting that draws its design inspiration from Brooklyn’s brownstone buildings and the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Chic luxury boutiques, featuring the latest designs of Longchamp, Marc Jacobs, Lacoste, BOSS, TAG Heuer, Breitling and Montblanc, along with sunglasses from Avolta’s Suncatcher store featuring designer sunglasses.
- The Connoisseur Collection offers a curated selection of liquor and tobacco products. The hybrid space will also be home to T8’s very own speakeasy, Blinded Tiger, a nod to New York’s best hidden bars and a first for JFK.
- The Collection will feature fashion jewelry and watches from global brands like Swarovski, NORQAIN, Oris, Citizen and Bulova.
- Pre-Loved Luxury will be a haven for upcycled leather goods and fine watches.
Delivering one-of-a-kind experiences to complement the duty-free and food hall offerings
- Bowery Meat Company, the celebrated New York City “meat-centric” restaurant from chef Josh Capon and restaurateur John McDonald, redefines the modern American steakhouse experience
- Neir’s Tavern, a Queens landmark known for its classic American pub fare and rich history as one of the oldest operating bars in NYC.
- Singas Pizza, will offer pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches. The Greek style pizzeria first opened its doors in Elmhurst, Queens in 1967. Pies for the Sky Corp CEO Manish Chadha and Singas Pizza operator is a graduate of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions.
- Minority-owned small business, M&R Concessions is behind the dual concept Dunkin’ and Jimmy John’s in the arrivals area.
- Susan Druckman, a 100 percent woman-owned small business, is bringing back three Currency Exchangeslocated in arrivals, Concourses B and C.
Since 2018, the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council has been working with the Port Authority and terminal developers to expand community outreach efforts including community-focused programs, ensuring that this ambitious project solicits ongoing feedback from local stakeholders and provides meaningful opportunities for local businesses, MWBEs, students and jobseekers. The council is co-chaired by U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and is composed of elected officials, community boards, business and nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, and clergy leaders from the local communities of southeast Queens, southwest Queens, the Rockaways and western portions of Nassau County.
The Council has worked with the Port Authority, its contractors and the terminal operators to meet a 30percent good faith goal for outreach to area businesses that are ready, willing and able to work at JFK percent, across all aspects of the JFK redevelopment program, including terminal projects, which are being built by union labor under a full project-labor agreement. In 2023, acting on guidance from the Community Advisory Council, the Port Authority initiated the Institute of Concessions to help small, local business owners learn the skills necessary to compete for opportunities at JFK.
