Denver International Airport (DIA) and the Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) have opened the new Terminal Marketplace. The three new small business concession stands represent an innovative, economic development opportunity that OED and DIA created for Colorado entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Located on level five of the Jeppesen Terminal, the Terminal Marketplace features; Amore Fiori Flowers & Gifts Shop, CofTea Shop and Vertical Mile Market.
“This is a unique opportunity for small businesses to get on their feet and experience what it’s like to operate in the airport.” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “Terminal Marketplace is a commitment to our entrepreneurs.”
These spaces will act as incubators for small and local businesses so that they can grow and aspire toward moving up into one of the larger concession spaces in the future.
DIA invested $1.5 million for the initial build out of the spaces. The support helps alleviate the costly startup barriers that typically make it difficult for small businesses across the country to open at airports.
All three businesses are Small Business Enterprises and received technical assistance from the OED throughout the start-up process. Each concessionaire competed for the available spaces through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The airport intends to continue this trend by offering similar competitive opportunities in the future.
“Denver International Airport's concessions program was founded on the principle of creating a level playing field where small and local businesses have the opportunity to compete and become successful,” said Kim Day, manager of aviation. “We are excited that, with the opening of the Marketplace, we are continuing our strategy of offering business opportunities that have appeal to local companies so that they may effectively compete for locations and become a larger part of the DIA family.”
“The Terminal Marketplace is another example of how the City of Denver is providing market opportunities for small businesses,” said Tamela Lee, OED Director of Small Business Opportunity. “In addition to our Small Business Enterprise Concessions opportunities at the airport, the City offers a Small Business Enterprise certification, as well as other certifications for minority- and women-owned businesses.”
From a shopper’s perspective, the new Terminal Marketplace presents people waiting to greet passengers a convenient and new place to get a snack or gift without venturing too far away and perhaps missing their arriving friends or family members.
The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) works to create a local environment that stimulates balanced economic growth through job creation, business assistance, housing options and neighborhood redevelopment.
Denver International Airport was the fifth-busiest airport in the United States in 2007 with 49.8 million passengers, a new record. DIA is served by 22 airlines, which offer nearly 1,700 daily nonstop flights to approximately 150 domestic and international destinations. Visit www.flydenver.com for parking availability, flight schedules and more.