Shops, eateries opening throughout Airport
By Amy Schneider

Travelers are noticing a lot of new shopping and dining options at the Airport, as Hartsfield-Jackson continues to roll out new brands.

October held ribbon-cutting ceremonies at two innovative locations: Lorena Garcia Tapas Bar in the mezzanine on Concourse F; and iTravel, an authorized Apple reseller on Concourse B.

Lorena Garcia Tapas Bar, renowned celebrity chef Lorena Garcia’s first full-service restaurant in an airport, features signature dishes such as mango-glazed chicken wings, turkey-bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese, roasted Portobello mushroom sliders and a citrus-chicken-marinated avocado wrap.

Lorena Garcia Tapas Bar joins a varied lineup of dining options in the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal’s mezzanine, where Pei Wei Asian Diner, The Original El Taco, The Pecan, The Varsity and Starbucks already are open.

For those whose cravings lean toward a different sort of Apple, the iTravel store near B17 offers a full array of the electronics giant’s merchandise. It is the second authorized Apple reseller to open in an airport; Boston’s Logan International Airport is the only other airport with one.

“Part of Hartsfield-Jackson’s commitment to delivering top-notch customer service is providing travelers with concessions that meet their needs,” said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller.

Several other shops and eateries have debuted recently:

• Spanx — the well-known, Georgia-based brand of women’s (and men’s!) body-shaping clothing — is open on Concourse E near E26. The Hartsfield-Jackson location is the first Spanx store to open in an airport and features some of the brand’s most popular lines, including Hide & Sleek body shapers, Skinny Britches shorts, Slim Cognito tanks, and V-neck and crew undershirts for men.

• Also on Concourse E, just past the escalators from the Transportation Mall, a new Swarovski store has opened. It offers an assortment of traditional and contemporary jewelry.

• On Concourse F in the International Atrium, Clutch sells purses and bags from brands such as DKNY, Longchamp and Kooba. The store also carries jewelry by internationally recognized Mark Edge Jewelry and L. Fallon Jewelry.

• Goldberg’s Bagels on Concourse A near A16 gives travelers another option for a quick, easy breakfast (or anytime snack).

• Jekyll Island Seafood Co. at F9 in the international terminal features sit-down dining and a menu of fresh seafood, gourmet sandwiches and breakfast served all day.

New concessions, particularly food and beverage locations, will continue to open as construction projects wrap up throughout the Airport. As new brands open, other locations will cease operations and begin their transitions.

Preparing to cut the ribbon at Lorena Garcia Tapas Bar are Jeff Yablun (from left), senior vice president of operations, HMSHost; Lorena Garcia, celebrity chef; Roosevelt Council Jr., Hartsfield-Jackson deputy general manager and CFO; Tim Slaney, senior director of operations, HMSHost; and Paul Brown, Hartsfield-Jackson director of Concessions Management.

Cutting the ribbon at iTravel are David Husack (from left), president of ARM; Cecelia Corbin-Hunter, ARM managing partner; Bill Swift, ARM managing partner; Deborah Crews, ARM managing partner; Robert Crews, ARM managing partner; Roosevelt Council Jr., deputy general manager and CFO; Paul Brown, Concessions director; and Reggie Johnson, iTravel store manager.