TPA Celebrates Grand Opening of Shops, Restaurants and Spas with Community
Beyond the SkyConnect station in the Main Terminal stood a 10-foot man with a wild Mohawk and electric guitar. He was a rocker on stilts and fit well with the ambiance of the Hard Rock Café. To the right, a dragon dancer bounced around in front of P. F. Chang’s, representing the Asian culture that the restaurant shares.
These were just two of the vast entertainment spectacles included in Saturday’s Grand Opening Celebration of TPA’s new shops, restaurants and spas, an event well anticipated since the concessions redevelopment program launched in 2015. The celebration brought vendors, authors, live entertainment, live music and plenty of food samples, enjoyed by thousands in the Main Terminal. Passengers, travelers, employees and members of the community came by the Airport Saturday afternoon, Feb. 16, to experience and explore TPA’s new and improved amenities.
Guests raved about it on social media.
“Thank you Tampa International Airport for the opportunity to check out new shops and sample some new noms!” wrote Hayley Garron, event attendee.
“We had an amazing time. Stayed the whole time and saw almost everything! The food was great, especially the food from Hard Rock,” said Deb Hicks.
TPA’s Main Terminal offers unique food options, locally made jewelry and gifts and Tampa Bay team sports apparel and beachwear, among many other features. Two of the concepts, the Shoppes at Bayshore and Starbucks, are open 24/7, making the Airport a one-stop shop for travelers and the community.
“We want this to be a destination,” said Laurie Noyes, Vice President of Concessions and Commercial Parking. “We’re one of the few airports where you’ll be able to come and sit inside or outside to enjoy a restaurant and then come inside and do some shopping in a department store-like concept.”