‘Retail Renaissance’ Begins @ Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has opened the first of its 70 new stores and restaurants, and officials say they are trying to attract area shoppers in addition to travelers.

The idea is that residents of Fulton and Clayton counties will visit the airport to get a manicure or purchase a new suit — instead of just to board a plane.

“We’re trying to attract other shoppers,” airport spokeswoman Katena Carvajales said. “Maybe if you are picking someone up, you can run in and get a gift instead of going to the mall.”

About a quarter of the new stores will be added to the atrium and baggage claim areas. Shoppers will not need a ticket or to wait in security lines, Carvajales said. Though officials acknowledge parking may be an issue, they encourage shoppers to take mass transit and insist ample parking is available.

While the airport — the world’s busiest — is undergoing a $6 billion capital improvement project, the retail revitalization is at no cost to taxpayers. The check for the shopping and dining upgrades is covered by the vendors, Carvajales said.

The stores will include luxury retailers such as Brooks Brothers, Sean John, Vera Bradley and Lacoste, as well as a spa and nail salon. The Georgia Aquarium, CNN, Atlanta.net and Harley Davidson will also open specialty shops.

All of the stores are slated to open by June 2009.

Four of the stores have already opened.

Atlanta Magazine’s Home store, which features cookware, home decor and furnishings, was the first to open. The home store opened in the atrium in November, along with Simply Books and Z Market, a convenience store.

“A retail renaissance has begun at Hartsfield-Jackson,” aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta said in a statement. “It’s only fitting that the first store to open as part of Hartsfield-Jackson’s retail expansion reflects our hometown Atlanta and our rich Southern culture. This shop will be one of many that are expected to make passengers traveling experiences delightful.”

One Flew South, which offers meals made with local ingredients, also opened in November in Concourse E.

The additional stores are designed to provide more shopping and dining opportunities for about 250,000 visitors each day, Carvajales said. About 89 million people pass through Hartsfield-Jackson each year.

Clayton County officials are also trying to capitalize on the airport’s growth by building new stores, office parks and other businesses around Hartsfield-Jackson.

By MEGAN MATTEUCCI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

NEW RETAIL STORES ANNOUNCED FOR AIRPORT

Atrium
Atlanta Magazine’s Home
Brighton Collectibles
Brooks Brothers
Drugs and More / Aero Clinic
Georgia Aquarium
N.Y. Times Books and News
Piedmont Park TravelMart
Shellis News
Simply Books/Starbucks
Z-Market

T-Gates
Atlanta News
Harley Davidson
Lather
Shellis News
Swarovski
Tech Showcase
Z-Market

Concourse A
Atlanta.net
Bvlgari
CNBC News
Ermenegildo Zegna
L’Occitane
Newsbeat
Salvatore Ferragamo
Shellis News
Simply Books/Brioche Doree
Tech Showcase
Vera Bradley
XpressSpa
Z-Market