The Paradies Shops was selected as the successful bidder for airside concessions at the Long Beach Airport in January. The new contract, approved by the Long Beach City Council on March 6, is also for a 10-year period.

“We are extremely excited to expand our relationship at LGB by adding the best local food and beverage operations,” Gregg Paradies, president and CEO of The Paradies Shops, said in a statement. “The new terminal is incredibly well-designed, and through our partnership with [architectural firm] Studio One Eleven, we will develop a program that embodies the spirit of the Long Beach community.”

The contract includes food and beverage, gift/news/retail and specialty beverage/food. The vendors for these concessions include: 4th Street Vine, McKenna’s on the Bay, Taco Beach Cantina, George’s Greek Café, Sweet Jill’s Bakery, Polly’s Gourmet Coffee, CNBC News, the Long Beach Business Journal and Long Beach Clothing Co. McKenna’s will operate two restaurants, called the Long Beach Burger Bar by McKenna’s and McKenna’s on the Fly. The Business Journal Gifts & News Shop will be connected to what is being called “562 Experience,” a shop that will feature apparel from Long Beach Clothing and souvenirs from other local retailers and attractions.

Jim Ritson, co-owner of 4th Street Vine, said he and co-owner Sophia Sandoval are very excited to be a part of the concessions at the new terminal. “I think they’re offering a really good representation of the local businesses. Having all local businesses in the terminal is probably the coolest part about it, I think,” Ritson said. “If it were filled with several corporate chains it wouldn’t be as exciting or unique, or representative of Long Beach.”

The design of the airside concessions incorporates colors and elements that bring about a feeling of a Southern California beach resort and destination, according to Long Beach Airport Manager Mario Rodriguez. “When people think of Southern California, thoughts of sand, trendsetters and jetsetters automatically come to mind,” he said.

“Travelers want to relax and enjoy their trip. As the gateway to the area, it is appropriate that materials such as rich wood veneers and hues of green and blue recall the coastal character of Long Beach.

Travelers are treated to a resort-like experience as they enjoy our cool, coastal breeze and walk out from their aircraft into our chic new concourse. We're not only humanizing, we're modernizing air travel with hip and fresh retailers and restaurants.”

Long Beach Business Journal Publisher George Economides said the publication’s staff is excited and honored to be part of the Paradies’ team. “While it’s great that the Business Journal name will be exposed to upwards of three million airport visitors, we see this as an opportunity to promote the city. About half of the airport users are here on business, so we will be pushing Long Beach as a great location to open a business or to hold that next meeting.”

He added, “This isn’t about us, this is about Long Beach, a city with a rich, rewarding history with so many positive attributes and so many great people, and a city with a very bright future. The airport – past, present and future – is exactly like that, too. We’re going to work with airport staff and Long Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau President/CEO Steve Goodling and his staff to bring the best of this city to travelers and visitors, and bring the waterfront to the airport.”

Regarding the relationship between the airport and Paradies, Rodriguez said, “The relationship between the Airport and The Paradies Shops has been stable and is looking to be very successful. Long Beach Airport prides itself in excellent customer service and has joined with a group which has the same philosophy.”