Concession upgrades at Connecticut's Bradley International Airport earn national acclaim

Now, in addition to enhancing the passenger experience inside the facility, the project is being recognized nationally for its success.

The concession upgrades at Bradley International Airport have been jointly named “Airport Project of the Year” by Airport Business Magazine in its 2025 Retail and Concessions category, according to a release Tuesday from the Connecticut Airport Authority.

The airport is being specifically commended for the creation of two storefronts located within the terminal – Charter Oak Emporium and CT River Landing.

Each business was launched in collaboration with concessionaire partner Paradies Lagardère. Together, they anchor each side of the main terminal while representing local history.

The new Charter Oak Emporium opened in November 2023, after being converted from a Travel Mart. The store’s front entrance displays replicas of two oak trees, paying tribute to their importance in Connecticut since the state was a territory.

According to the CAA, local history has it that the state’s royal charter was hidden inside the trunk of a large white oak tree so that it couldn’t be stolen, which would have taken away Connecticut’s right to self-govern.

Last September, the airside lobby CNBC store became CT River Landing. The store is named after the Connecticut River, which is also the origin of the state’s name. The CAA notes in its release that the river flows through the central part of the state, extends to northern New Hampshire and is the longest river in New England.

Michael Shea, CAA executive director, said that the national recognition of Charter Oak Emporium and CT River Landing marks the commitment that has been made to modernize the airport’s terminal while paying homage to Connecticut’s history and tradition.

“Our strategy is to create unique concessions that resonate with passengers and make our community proud,” Shea added.

The Airport Business Projects of the Year highlight projects occurring at airports throughout North America. There’s more than a dozen different categories, including security, technology, ground transportation, terminal construction, airfield operations, cargo and more.

Next up, the CAA plans to unveil over $250 million in infrastructure updates to the traveling public beginning this summer.

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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected].

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