With
children's stores growing at airports across the country, the
summer season bodes well for families traveling by air. Parents
with extra time at the airport now have more choices than ever
before to distract, entertain, and even educate their kids.
Stores with a fun and educational approach to their merchandising,
such as Mindworks and National Geographic, are helping to fuel
this growth spurt.
Mindworks
just opened its sixth store in the 33-store retail gallery at
Philadelphia International Airport. A specialty toy and gift
store, Mindworks is designed as a playtime oasis for children
of all ages. The National Geographic store opened earlier this
year at LaGuardia Airport's Central Terminal Building and features
unique items from around the world, helping to create an exotic
retail environment that makes browsing an education in world
culture.
Susan
Stackhouse is president of Stellar Partners, a Florida-based
firm that developed Mindworks specifically for airports. The
increase of children's stores is the result of "a realization
of opportunities in the children's market," says Stackhouse.
"Just a few years ago, specialty children's stores were
missing from airport retail. Now our stores meet the need for
children's gifts and activities, and offer a playful, exciting
environment for all travelers."
Paul
McGinn, President of MarketPlace Development, a Newton, MA-based
airport retail developer and manager, added that "family-friendly
stores such as Mindworks, National Geographic, Discovery Channel
and InMotion Pictures appeal to both leisure and business travelers
making impulse buys." Discovery Channel has a popular location
at Philadelphia International Airport and will be joined shortly
by InMotion Pictures, already operating at LaGuardia and 26
other locations.
In
addition to children's stores, airports are looking at other
ways to meet the needs of travelers with children, from fun
and innovative play areas to children's menus at the airport's
restaurants and food courts. Here are highlights of some of
the family-friendly stores, restaurants, and activities at LaGuardia
Airport and Philadelphia International Airport:
LaGuardia's
Central Terminal
Barbara's
Bestsellers: Extensive selection of children's books.
Kids' Summer Coloring, from May 27th through August 31st.
Figs
Restaurant: Kids Eat
Free! This summer, families traveling with kids can take advantage
of the Kids Eat Free special with any paid adult entrée.
Kids choices include Macaroni Simoni - Figs' version of the
popular macaroni & cheese, pizza, spaghetti and more. (CONTINUE...)
