Where will you be able to eat or shop at the new KCI airport terminal? Here’s a map
Familiar names and places highlighting some of the best Kansas City has to offer will greet travelers when they pass through KCI Airport’s new single terminal when it opens next spring.
Of the 50 or so different dining and shopping spaces, about 80% of the brands are local to the Kansas City metro region, said Lovell Holloway, general manager for Vantage Airport Group, which will run concessions at the new terminal.
That was intentional.
“We really wanted to bring to life the experience of Kansas City,” said Holloway, during a media tour of the new terminal Monday afternoon. “We wanted this to be the gateway to the city.”
Some of the more recognizable names include Martin City Brewing, Meat Mitch, Parisi Cafe, Made in Kansas City and Brown & Lowe.
The new $1.5 billion terminal, which is about 90% complete, is scheduled to open next spring. The actual opening date has yet to be determined.
When the terminal starts serving passengers, 100% of the eating and shopping spaces will be ready to go, Holloway said.
The new terminal will be a whole new experience for travelers who are familiar with KCI’s current setup.
“Once passengers are through the security checkpoint, they become free to use whatever part of the terminal that they want,” Justin Meyer, deputy director with the Kansas City Aviation Department, said. “All of amenities, all of the food and beverage and all of the retail that we have is open to them.”
Currently, travelers’ experiences are dependent upon which airline they are flying and which gate they are assigned to.
As part of the media tour, officials released a map showing where the eating and shopping spaces will be located in the terminal.
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‘Gateway to the city’
In the hall of Concourse A just past the security checkpoint, there will be Parisi Cafe, Meat Mitch, Martin City Brewing and the Made in Kansas City Marketplace.
The Made in KC Food Hall will include Bloom Baking Co., Jay “Hootie” McShann’s Blues Bar, Pigwich and Poio.
There will be national brands too, including InMotion, Johnson & Murphy, Lego and Dunkin’.
Also in Concourse A will be Directors Cut Take 2 barbershop and Soirée Steak & Oyster House, a southern inspired steakhouse in the 18th & Vine Jazz District.
“I just want to bring a little bit of the Jazz District to our arriving patrons that come in and hopefully they will get to the district and see some of the amazing art and music and all things we have to offer down there,” said chef Anita Moore.
Some of the restaurant’s offerings will include its award winning gumbo, oysters and an “amazing” Hawaiian ribeye. She said they are training staff to get everything down in 15 minutes or less so that travelers who can’t stay and enjoy the music from local artists can get the food to go.
Having her Black woman-owned restaurant selected for the new terminal has been a very humbling and amazing experience, she said.
“I mean, just to be a pioneer and being able to introduce the Jazz District, which we know that Kansas City is famous for jazz music,” she said. “So just introducing people to that and being the, you know, frontline restaurant to get people down in that area is amazing. It means a lot to a lot of the local vendors in that area as well.”
Travelers who make their way through the 635-foot long concourse connector will also find more local dining and retail options in Concourse B, including Brown & Loe, Messenger Coffee, Stockyard Brewing Co., Turn the Page KC, Safi Fresh and City Market Coffee Roasters.
There will also be the City Market Food Hall that will include Bo Lings, Boulevard Brewing, Buffalo State Pizza Co., Pigwich and Taste of Brazil.
“What we’re bringing here is the historic City Market from downtown,” Holloway said. “What we love about this place is that mimics open eateries. It’ll have shopping and dining experiences here where you can grab coffee but also sit out, enjoy the space while listening to music before your flight.”
Concourse B will also be where passengers can find the Made for KC Barbeque Experience, a restaurant that features barbecue determined by an annual contest. Black Magic was the winner of this year’s Made for KC BBQ Championship.
“It’s amazing; it’s a huge opportunity,” said Bre Via, who along with Brad Colter, make up the Black Magic team. “When Brad and I started competing two years ago, we really fell in love with the whole barbecue family and the sense of community in the competition barbecue realm.”
Via, a special education teacher, and Colter, who is in mining safety, are new to the restaurant business. They have been working with OHM Concession Group, the principal food and beverage provider for Vantage Airport Group, to prepare menus and train the pitmasters who will be running the kitchen.
“The ultimate goal is to give the traveler barbecue like they would experience if you were a barbecue judge,” Colter said.
