Haven't flown in a while? Four new retail, shopping and amenity changes at Louisville's airport
Some familiar spots for a bite to eat or some pre-flight shopping at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport may look a bit different the next time you catch a flight out of town.
In addition to ongoing work at the airport as part of a $400 million-plus SDF Next program, which has recently included upgrades to the baggage claim area, there are some recently completed changes and upcoming updates planned for certain shops and dining concepts at the airport.
The Courier Journal previously reported that the Brooks Brothers and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail stores located just before the security checkpoint closed earlier this year to make way for an area for passenger queues.
Here’s what else to expect:
Changes to Starbucks at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Your key coffee locations at the airport have recently received a facelift.
The pre-security Starbucks received new furniture and espresso machines, fresh signage, and new aesthetic finishes.
The larger, post-security Starbucks location also recently has new furniture, updated light fixtures, and window shades.
Customers now order off new digital menu boards and a shifted entrance along with added queue rails allow for more customers inside the café, according to a spokesperson for HMSHost, the company that provides food and beverage services at the airport
What new shopping options are at the Louisville Airport?
In the airport rotunda, where Concourses A and B meet after the security checkpoint, the existing Brighton store is changing to a new concept called Hip & Humble.
The new shop is expected to open in the third quarter of this year and “will serve as a specialty space selling an assortment of female-forward and lifestyle-empowering inventory,” said Natalie Chaudoin, spokeswoman for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority.
The retail change is part of more than $1.4 million in investments from Paradies Lagardère, the retail services vendor for the airport, Chaudoin said.
Building permits have also been filed to refresh the existing Churchill Downs Store located before security.
A rendering of the renovated shop shows an aesthetic refresh that includes new artwork of the track, a wall of roses, and new signage featuring a silhouetted horse race.
Updates to the existing Louisville Slugger store are also expected, according to the airport.
A new welcome center opens at the Louisville Airport
While not retail or food related, there is a new amenity at the Louisville airport meant to better connect guests to Derby City.
A more tourist-oriented amenity opened at the airport in early April ahead of the busy Kentucky Derby season as well as the city’s hosting of the 106th PGA Championship.
A new welcome center operated by Louisville Tourism aims to offer Louisville visitors “a personalized touch” with expertise and recommendations on where to shop, dine, and explore when they’re in town, the tourism agency said in a news release.
The tourism resource is planning distillery-hosted bourbon tastings, music performances, curated playlists and bourbon ball tastings during select peak air travel days and times.
The center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Growth & development reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Check out these new, upcoming amenities at the Louisville airport