Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, Chamber of Commerce President Bill Connors and representatives from hospitality and concessionaire Paradies and Delaware North were at the Boise Airport Tuesday morning to announce plans for a retail space makeover for the terminal. With the current contracts expiring this year the opportunity arose to change things up and not only update the physical appearance, but offer new shopping and eating options that will give travelers a better sense of what Boise has to offer. Airport officials invited bids to design, implement and manage a collection of venues that would “create a sense of place”. In response, Delaware North and Paradies reached out to local vendors such as Boise Co-Op, Parilla Grill, Bardenay, Big City Coffee and our own Greenbelt Magazine-inspired Greenbelt Marketplace to create a collection of restaurants and shops that will be familiar to Boiseans while giving the out-of-town visitor a head start on experiencing the city. And in a bold move, there are plans to offer live concert broadcasts in association with radio FM 94.9 the River that have the potential to draw locals to the airport for something other than air travel. Greenbelt Marketplace struts a colorful facade that showcases the recreational and outdoor access that Boise is famous for. “We had great conversations and input from everyone at Greenbelt.” remarked Michael Pietryka from Paradies. “Bringing in a recognizable publication like Greenbelt and all the tie-ins that can be created through the print media channel opens up possibilities that couldn’t be achieved any other way.” Construction will proceed over the next eight months in stepwise fashion so that airport visitors will continue to have access to what they need.
Story and Photography by Pete Grady
