Most airport shops sell the same basic things: snacks, headphones, books, and last-minute souvenirs.
This one was different—and that’s exactly why so many travelers are hoping it finds a way back.
If there’s one thing travel geeks love, it’s travel-related merch. I mean, over the years I’ve certainly gotten my share.
The thing is, it’s one thing to find “homemade” shirts, like those “You Got Bonvoyed” or “MCO carpet” shirts. It’s another to get your hands on “official” merch, like that TWA shirt that’s only sold at the TWA Hotel, or that BoardingArea shirt that you can only get from…well, you know.
And the thing is, many airlines sell their own merch; it’s just a matter of getting it. And for some things, like shirts for example, you may want to see it in person before you buy it.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport had such a place. It was called the DFW Employee Store. As the title said, it was made for employees, but it was located in a public area of the airport (Terminal C, near Gate C2) and was billed as, “A unique retail store dedicated to airline and travel themed merchandise for airline employees, parents, retirees and lovers of airlines.”
The DFW Employee Store was very “American Airlines-heavy” in terms of logo merch (DFW is AA’s flagship hub, so that made sense), but they also carried items with logos from other airlines that serve or have served DFW. Plus, besides the licensed insignia, it also carried a nice selection of Travelpro FlightCrew luggage, regulation shoes, hosiery, badge holders, travel accessories, etc.
Needless to say, it was very popular for both employees and travelers alike (or as owner Steve Cosgrove called it, it was, “a slice of avgeek heaven.”)
Unfortunately, the section of Terminal C where the store was located is scheduled for renovations, so all businesses were required to close up shop by June 1st. Cosgrove has been searching for a new space at the airport, but it’s been difficult at best.
On June 3, he posted on the store’s FB page:
Met with several of the people today from the concessions department at the DFW Airport about the store coming back. They were very nice and listened To what I had to say.
We easily fit what they say they are wanting in new shops and stores. Unique products with a great customer expeience.
Have to get what is called SBEC certified first. The wait for an RFP to be issued that would fit what they are looking for and what the store has to offer. Appears the next round comes this fall.
So will work on the SEBC certification and then wait for the RFPs to come out and see if we fit into any of them.
So at best we might be back at the end of the year and that is if we are lucky. Wish I had better news to share but that’s what I learned today.
Keep writing the airport the store and why we need to come back so we stay top of mind over there.
Meanwhile, the DFW Store is still available for online orders. Click here to visit, and keep your fingers crossed that they’ll be able to have another storefront at DFW ASAP!
At the moment, the DFW Employee Store’s future seems to depend on finding the right opportunity when the airport begins accepting proposals for new concession spaces later this year.
That’s not exactly the news its fans were hoping for.
Still, the fact that airport officials were willing to meet with Cosgrove—and that he’s already taking the steps needed to qualify for future opportunities—suggests there’s at least a path forward.
For now, travelers can still support the store online and continue letting DFW know they’d like to see it return. And if the reaction from customers over the past few weeks is any indication, there are plenty of people rooting for this little slice of avgeek heaven to find a new home at the airport. ❤️
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2 comments
There are a few key points missing from this story over all and the owner of the DFW Employee Store has glazed over them. He either doesn’t particularly understand how his lease works or is leaving that out to generate public sympathy.
I did a freedom of information request with DFW airport and found out this information.
The store was not a leaseholder of the airport. It occupied space leased by American Airlines. The cost of the space is just north of $430 per square foot per annum. For the 2000 square foot store, that amounts to just over $70,000 a month. The payment the store provided to American was just a percent of sales toward the American employee fund to conduct employee events and things like that. So basically this was an American Airlines charity shop. It also doesn’t as it was into the retail plan for the airport. To sell to the public, you have to pay a portion of revenue, or a minimum monthly guarantee, to the airport. To not, you have to prove you only sell to airport employees.
Downstairs underneath, which also closed due to the construction but plans to reopen, is a Crew Outfitters that sells uniform pieces, luggage, shoes, some airline merchandise. But it is exempt as it sits within an employee only area and doesn’t sell to the public.
American decided not to pay for relocation (or didn’t have a space now) for the Store. Its owner went public encouraging people to write complaints or letters of support to American. I doubt flooding mid-level real estate managers who have a facilities budget and increasing costs is something that will work in his favor.
Now, the Store’s owner is trying to get certified/approved as a retail outlet directly with the airport. Doing so has certain requirements. The airport frequently has sessions open to all potential concession bidders (as he’s been invited to, with many others). The concessions lease (as with all documents) is available as public record. Because the airport is a public entity, it has to treat concessions equally despite any flood of public comment. To re-open in the public area of the terminal, will need to meet appearance standards for build-out, signage, and fixtures (probably at least $500k), have opening hours that comply with flight activity in the immediate area, commit to certain hiring standards, and also pay rent through minimum revenue guarantee to the airport.
Whichever way, the store’s costs went from basically free rent to market rate. That’s the real story.
Thanks for doing the research.
The bottom line is that the store was enjoyed and had to close. Hopefully it will be able to reopen somewhere else.