AVL and Paradies Lagardère announce new retail stores and restaurants

The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority (GARAA) and leading airport restaurateur and retail operator, Paradies Lagardère, are pleased to announce the concessions plans for the new airport terminal at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL).  Five food and beverage restaurants, two retail stores and multiple vending concessions options are planned for the new airport terminal, currently under construction.
 

“We have a long-term positive and successful partnership with Paradies Lagardère, proudly named as their very first airport location for food and beverage offerings in 2011,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., AVL President and CEO.  “Paradies is committed to western North Carolina and to providing locally sourced food, beverages and artisan products in the airport, which is important to us.  Their design concepts for the new terminal are exciting, and I look forward to seeing these excellent passenger amenities come to fruition.”
 

Phase One of the airport’s terminal construction project, titled AVL Forward, is slated to open by summer of 2025.  Included in this phase will be the opening of the new seven-gate north concourse which will house the first new food and beverage restaurants and retail offerings operated by Paradies Lagardère  – The Goods@AVL, Jimmy John’s and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 
 

The remaining concessions are scheduled to be constructed and opened in tandem with the next phase of the project, slated for completion by 2027.

“We congratulate the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority for officially approving plans for this impressive new terminal for the airport,” said Gregg Paradies, President and CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “In support of this exceptional new direction, we are excited to contribute an impressive lineup of retail stores and restaurants that will elevate the traveler experience with a healthy balance of national and local concepts, unique innovation, and our award-winning customer service.”
 

The brand line-up for the new terminal includes:
Phase One (opening Summer 2025)

• The Goods@AVL - A new bespoke travel essential concept designed specifically for AVL, The Goods@AVL will present travelers with grab-and-go options, regional apparel and gifts, gourmet snacks, products from local artisans, in-demand travel essentials, and self-checkout stations for convenience and speed of service.
• Jimmy John's and Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Expanding the national brand offerings at the airport, Jimmy John’s will deliver both freshness and speed of service with its great lineup of sandwiches while Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s robust menu of made-to-order smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads offers excellent variety and quality. 
   

Two temporary concessions spaces will also open this summer in the new north concourse, slated to operate for the next few years until the new south concourse construction is completed.  These two locations are:  Costa Coffee, a coffee offering where passengers can purchase coffee to-go and local baked goods, and Aletitude, where passengers can purchase beer, wine and cocktails, as well as grab-and-go snacks.

Phase Two (slated for completion by 2027)

•  Appalachian Exchange – An open, market-style retail experience that celebrates North Carolina's Appalachian Mountain Range.  This travel essentials store offers customers the most sought-after items and features market-style products created by local purveyors and artisans.
• Smoky Grounds – This authentic, local approach to the coffee experience showcases an impressive design, fresh grab-and-go items, and a rotating selection of coffee by local roasters.  
• Beercode Kitchen & Bar – This sit-down restaurant featuring a casual industrial yet cozy atmosphere delivers a delicious gastropub-style menu and celebrates the region as a micro-brewery destination by highlighting a variety of craft beer by local brewers. This will be the first Beercode concept in the state of North Carolina.
• Vino Volo – The iconic and award-wining wine bar concept will offer the best of the brand’s signature offerings, including local and regional wines, craft cocktails, and a flavorful and robust menu that covers all day parts.
• travel@ease and Costa Coffee – Located in the pre-security area, these 24/7 vending options share fresh snacks and grab-and-go offerings along with the self-serve Costa Coffee machine that will not only support travelers’ needs but also airport and airline customers with very early morning or very late evening work schedules.  

View and download design renderings here: 

VIEW RENDERINGS

Serving more than 2.25 million passengers in 2023, Asheville Regional Airport is continuing its growth trajectory. Now the third largest airport in North Carolina, the airport is served by six airlines that provide nonstop service to 27 unique airport destinations. For more information, visit flyavl.com. To learn more about the AVL Forward project, visit flyavl.com/avlforward.
 

Paradies Lagardère is a travel retailer and restaurateur that handles $1.6 billion in annual sales from more than 700 stores, restaurants and bars in more than 90 airports across North America. Specializing in three airport concessions areas - Travel Essentials, Specialty Retail and Dining with expertise in international, national, and local brands - Paradies Lagardère’s commitment to exceptional customer service, superior design and award-winning retail and restaurant operations has earned the company numerous accolades, including Best Airport Retailer for 27 consecutive years and Best Brand Restaurateur by Airport Experience News.  For more information, visit www.paradieslagardere.com. 

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