Palm Springs International Airport has announced plans to double the number of restaurants and bring in more local representation with new concessions program set to begin in 2023. Palm Springs Farmer’s Market will be featured as a curator of local gourmet foods and snacks, and downtown Palm Springs Favorites Trio and El Mirasol will join the airport as well. Amazon’s Just Walk Out shopping technology will be added to some retail locations, and a seasonal local ice cream truck will be offered along with the airport’s first Duty-Free shopping experience.
Palm Springs City Council approved ten-year contracts with two concessionaire companies. Paradies-Lagardere (Paradies), the current restaurant operator, was awarded a contract that will double the number of restaurants at PSP. All existing locations will be replaced with new concepts that are a mix of local and national brands. Once construction is complete, PSP will have twice as many restaurants as today. The Marshall Retail Group (Marshall) was selected to take over PSP’s retail shops with plans to renovate all locations, bring in more local retail, and add Duty-Free Shopping, a first for PSP.
“Our new concessions program will be transformative,” said Harry Barrett, Executive Director of Aviation. “Our staff has spent countless hours working with the Airport Commission and community stakeholders to ensure that a local feel and sense of place will be created at PSP. The new concessions program will deliver an immersive Palm Springs and Coachella Valley experience for locals and tourists alike.”
Paradies will build out their restaurants in two phases. Phase 1 will begin in February 2023 with the construction of local favorites El Mirasol and Coachella Valley Coffee Co. in the former Celebrity Bistro location that has been closed since the start of the pandemic, and Nine Cities Craft, featuring local craft beers and cocktails, will replace the restaurant in the RJ Concourse. Buzz By Bar Fly, currently located in the RJ Concourse, will move to the center of the Sonny Bono Concourse and will be built in a fully re-imagined design. Half Moon Empanadas will be built on an existing patio in that concourse as well. When Phase 1 is complete, the Sonny Bono Concourse will have three restaurants. Today, there is only one restaurant in that area of the airport. All locations built in Phase 1 will open in the fall of 2023.
The second phase of restaurant construction will begin in May 2024. It will include the replacement of the PSP Coffee House and Wine Bar, located in the courtyard, with Paradies’ Vino Volo concept that is featured at several airports around the US. Trio, a local restaurant brand in downtown Palm Springs, will replace the Santa Rosa Kitchen in the Sonny Bono Concourse. The construction of both locations will be complete by the end of 2024. The Santa Rosa Kitchen and PSP Coffee House and Wine Bar will remain open throughout Phase 1 of construction.
Marshall, which operates retail shops in more than 40 airports across the US, will renovate the airport’s retail spaces in one phase beginning in July 2023 and wrapping up in October. Marshall has partnered with dozens of area businesses to create a truly local Palm Springs and Coachella Valley shopping experience.
Marshall will open six retail shops along with PSP’s first Duty-Free Shopping experience. Their six retail concepts include Uptown Essentials, which will feature Amazon Just Walk Out Shopping, souvenirs, travel essentials, books, and gifts. This store will place an emphasis on all things mid-century modern. Local businesses included in this retail location include the Palm Springs Art Museum, Minty’s Breeze Blocks, Desert Supreme, Raven’s Hearth, and TKB Bakery & Deli. Local artists Craig Mann, John Cuevas, and Walker Noble will be included as well.
Hey Joshua is another concept that Marshall plans to develop at PSP. It will showcase Joshua Tree National Park which is only a 45-minute drive from the airport. It will feature items from Joshua Tree Candle Co., Molly Moon Crafts, Opal Atlas, Joshua Tree Desert Rose, and other travel-related necessities.
Mojave Oasis will be Marshall’s tribute to the relaxation and resort lifestyle that Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley are famous for. This concept will focus on breezy resort wear and accessories, golf apparel, spa-quality self-care products, and locally-made gifts. Passengers will also find travel essentials, grab & go items, reading materials, tech accessories, and convenience items. Local businesses with items in this space include The Body Deli, Rappi Palm Springs, Rancho Relaxo, Thick as Thieves, Palm Springs Life, and The Living Desert. Marshall has even partnered with the Palm Springs Certified Farmer’s Market as a curator of local gourmet foods and snacks to be sold at PSP. The Mojave Oasis will also offer an outdoor patio area named The Backyard Retreat with a seasonal coffee and an ice cream truck branded as The Shoppe Ice Cream, which locals will know from the lobby of the Arrive Palm Springs hotel.
Marshall will also open their Inmotion concept in the Sonny Bono Concourse with a range of tech products from Apple, Beats, Bose, JBL, and Sony. Something for everyone can be found within the store including noise-canceling headphones, wireless headphones, true wireless earphones, chargers, portable speakers, fitness and wellness products, laptop bags, fashion tech accessories, business telecommuting products, portable power, and a wide array of mobile accessories.
The Pink Door and I “heart” PS will be two automated retail zones with various travel needs. The Pink Door will be before the security checkpoint, and I “heart” PS will be in the Sonny Bono Concourse. Both will offer locally sourced foods, such as Crush Crush Cookies and Tutu’s Tortilla Chips, products, and other travel essentials.
PSP officials stated that the airport’s new concessions program will increase the percentage of Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) partners, bringing total minority owned business participation to 10% of restaurants and 20% of retail.
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ABOUT PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is owned and operated by the City of Palm Springs and is the only commercial service airport in the Coachella Valley. The airport’s 12 air carriers provide nonstop service to more than 30 airports in season, and 13 airports year-round. US nonstop routes include Atlanta, Austin, Bellingham, Bend/Redmond, Boise, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Love, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Des Moines, Eugene, Everett, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York City-JFK, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Rosa, and Seattle. Canadian nonstop routes include Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. PSP is served by Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, American, Delta, Flair, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United, and WestJet. Some airlines and routes operate only on a seasonal basis. For additional information, please refer to flyPSP.com or get social with PSP on Facebook (www.facebook.com/flyPSP), Twitter (@flyPSP), or Instagram (@flyPSP) to stay informed about the airport and the airlines that serve the Coachella Valley.
