Local and National Favorites to Open in Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s New Terminal

RDU Airport, NC – When Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s new terminal opens next summer, it will feature two of the Triangle’s favorite eateries. Airport Authority staff today announced plans to open a Carolina Ale House and 42nd Street Oyster Bar in the terminal, which opens next summer. Among the new eateries will also be Brookwood Farms, a restaurant serving North Carolina-style barbecue.

The three restaurants are part of a proposal by airport concession provider Host International, which included them in a package of seven restaurants it will manage in the new terminal. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority today approved the concepts, along with four other proposals outlining restaurant and retail concepts for the new facility.

The approvals allow Authority staff to begin negotiations with Host International, The Paradies Shops, JQ Enterprises, 2nd Edition Booksellers and Borders Inc. to finalize details for 18 of the 40 restaurants and shops that will be featured in the new terminal.

“From the beginning, RDU’s commitment has been to build a terminal that is tailored to our travelers’ needs, as well as one that reflects the uniqueness of our region,” said RDU Airport Director John Brantley, “The addition of regionally-based restaurants and shops brings the flavor of the Triangle into the terminal.”

Locally-owned and operated 2nd Edition Booksellers, RDU’s used bookstore which boasts a devoted following, will also open a store in the new terminal. It currently operates a store in Terminal A.

North Carolina-based J.Q. Enterprises will operate a Bruegger’s Bagels, A&W All American Food and KFC.

Other coffee shops and restaurants planned for the new terminal include Starbucks Coffee, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Gordon Biersch, Brookwood Farms and California Pizza Kitchen ASAP.

The Airport Authority also approved a proposal by The Paradies Shops for a collection of news and retail stores. The concepts include Chapel Hill-based A Southern Season, as well as Drugs & More, Brooks Brothers, PGA Tour Shop, University News & Sports and Taxco Sterling, a seller of sterling silver jewelry. The Paradies Shops has operated at RDU for over 25 years and is one of the country’s leading providers of airport retail shops.

The restaurants and stores announced today are not the only ones that will be featured in the new terminal. Requests for Proposals for additional stores and restaurants will be received through December, and the Authority will also negotiate directly with companies to bring specialty services such as a wine bar, business services center and high-tech gadgetry to the new terminal.

RDU’s new terminal will be over 900,000 square feet, nearly three times the size of the terminal it is replacing. Phase one of the new building will open next summer; phase two will open in late 2010.

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