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Chicago's Midway Airport has been undergoing a dramatic change in its restaurant offerings as part of a huge modernization project. While new eateries have been opening, some travelers have noticed the absence of well-known brands like Starbucks. The airport has been prioritizing local food offerings and smaller generic food places over large chains. However, in March 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Starbucks location near the airport, addressing the previous lack of options for travelers seeking more typical fare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for no Starbucks at Midway Airport | Chicago's Midway Airport has been focusing on local food offerings, which is why well-known brands like Starbucks are not part of the mix. |
| Modernization project | The airport is undergoing a huge modernization project that includes $75 million in funds for new food concessions. |
| Number of new concessions | More than 70 new concessions will be in place, and the number of concessions jobs at Midway will have doubled to more than 1,400. |
| Presence of other restaurant chains | Some restaurant chains like Dunkin Donuts still have a presence in the airport, but they are located before the TSA security checkpoint. |
| New Starbucks location | A new Starbucks is set to open near Midway Airport at 64th Street and Cicero Avenue. |
| Previous land use | The land where the new Starbucks is being built used to be a gas station, and part of the proceeds from the sale of the land is going toward soil remediation. |
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What You'll Learn
- Midway Airport's modernization project focuses on local food offerings
- Large chains like McDonald's and Potbelly were replaced with generic food places
- The airport has a Dunkin Donuts in baggage claim
- A new Starbucks is set to open near the airport in September 2024
- The new Starbucks location will bring development to the Cicero Avenue corridor
Midway Airport's modernization project focuses on local food offerings
Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) has been undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation and modernization project. The project has seen a shift in focus towards local food offerings, with large chains like McDonald's and Potbelly being replaced by more generic food places. This move is likely an effort to provide a unique and diverse range of dining options for travellers. While some travellers appreciate this shift, others have expressed a desire for more familiar options, specifically mentioning the absence of Starbucks.
MDW is not alone in its absence of Starbucks outlets. A quick search on Reddit reveals travellers' queries and comments about the lack of Starbucks presence at the airport. In response to these comments, some users have pointed to the ongoing renovation as the reason for the absence of certain chains. They suggest that the modernization project aims to bring in new vendors and shops, potentially including Starbucks, to enhance the airport's offerings.
The renovation project at MDW is not just limited to food offerings but also extends to overall airport development and promotion. In the past, Southwest Airlines pledged $20 million towards these efforts, demonstrating their commitment to the airport's improvement. As part of their expansion plans, they also acquired additional gates at MDW, increasing their presence at the airport. This competition for gate leases involved multiple airlines, including Northwest Airlines, showcasing the dynamic nature of the industry.
While MDW works on its renovation project, travellers hoping for a Starbucks fix will have to settle for alternative coffee options within the airport. However, Starbucks enthusiasts will be pleased to know that a new Starbucks location is coming soon to the Southwest Side of Chicago. Groundbreaking for this new location occurred in March 2024, with city officials in attendance, and it will be situated on land that previously stood empty for decades.
The modernization project at Midway Airport is a dynamic and ongoing process, with the airport authorities and stakeholders working together to enhance the overall traveller experience. The focus on local food offerings is a significant aspect of this project, providing a unique dining experience for travellers passing through Chicago. As the project progresses, travellers can look forward to new and improved amenities, creating a more convenient and enjoyable airport experience.
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Large chains like McDonald's and Potbelly were replaced with generic food places
Chicago's Midway Airport has been undergoing a dramatic change in its restaurant offerings as part of a huge modernization project. The airport has been undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, which includes $75 million in funds for new food concessions. As part of this project, large chains like McDonald's and Potbelly have been replaced with more generic food places and local offerings. This shift towards local eateries has received mixed reviews from travelers, with some questioning the absence of well-known brands like McDonald's and Starbucks.
One traveler commented that having a McDonald's in the airport would be a good idea for kids and grandkids, indicating a preference for familiar options, especially when traveling with families. However, the airport's focus on local food offerings extends beyond the restaurant scene. The modernization project aims to bring over 70 new concessions and double the number of concession jobs at Midway to more than 1,400.
While some large chains have been replaced, a few familiar names remain. For example, Dunkin Donuts has retained its presence at the airport, specifically in the baggage claim area. This presence is noted as an exception to the overall trend of prioritizing local options over big chains. Additionally, in March 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Starbucks location just south of Midway Airport. This development, led by city officials, is intended to drive investment and development in the area.
The absence of Starbucks within the airport itself can be attributed to the ongoing renovation and modernization efforts, which are still in progress. As the airport works towards enhancing its concessions and local offerings, it is likely that the final mix of food options will reflect a balance between familiar chains and unique local concepts. In the end, the goal is to provide travelers with a variety of dining choices that cater to different preferences and expectations.
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The airport has a Dunkin Donuts in baggage claim
Chicago's Midway Airport has been undergoing a dramatic change in its restaurant offerings as part of a huge modernization project. The airport has received $75 million in funding for new food concessions, with more than 70 new concessions planned. As part of this project, the airport has focused on local food offerings, moving away from well-known brands like McDonald's and Starbucks. Instead, the airport has introduced new local eateries, such as Harry Caray's and Home Run Inn Pizza.
However, some travelers have expressed mixed feelings about the lack of typical fare and well-known brands. While the focus beyond the TSA security checkpoint is on local offerings, the airport still retains some chain restaurants, including a Dunkin' Donuts located in baggage claim. This presence of Dunkin' Donuts could be due to an exclusive contract, as suggested by a Reddit user, who also noted that other coffee places at the airport "aren't that great."
The absence of Starbucks at Midway Airport stands out, especially considering the recent groundbreaking for a new Starbucks location just south of the airport. In March 2024, city officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Alderman Marty Quinn, participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for a Starbucks site at 64th Street and Cicero Avenue. This development is part of the city's efforts to revitalize the area and drive investment in the neighborhoods.
While travelers may still desire more familiar options like Starbucks at Midway Airport, the presence of Dunkin' Donuts in baggage claim offers a familiar coffee option for passengers before they depart or after they land. This may have been a strategic decision by the airport to balance the introduction of local offerings with the convenience of a well-known coffee chain, ensuring that travelers have access to a variety of dining and beverage options during their time at Midway Airport.
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A new Starbucks is set to open near the airport in September 2024
A new Starbucks is set to open near Chicago's Midway Airport in September 2024, much to the delight of coffee enthusiasts and travellers passing through. The announcement comes as a result of a groundbreaking ceremony held on March 22, 2024, where city officials and Starbucks representatives came together to mark the beginning of construction. The new Starbucks location will be situated on 64th Street and Cicero Avenue, just a stone's throw away from the airport.
This development holds significance as the chosen site has remained vacant for four decades. Previously, the land was occupied by a gas station, and the process of transforming the plot into a vibrant community hub will involve soil remediation, with proceeds from the land sale contributing to this endeavour. The project is expected to breathe new life into the area, attracting investments and fostering economic growth.
The addition of Starbucks to the neighbourhood aligns with Alderman Marty Quinn's commitment to developing the Cicero Avenue corridor. Over the years, Quinn has successfully drawn various businesses to the area, including well-known brands such as Culver's, Dunkin' Donuts, and Taco Bell. This new Starbucks location is expected to further enhance the appeal of the Southwest Side, making it an even more desirable place to live, work, and raise families.
While the Midway Airport area has lacked a Starbucks presence in the past, the upcoming opening near the airport showcases the company's dedication to expanding its reach and improving convenience for customers on the go. Starbucks has been strategically scaling up its mobile ordering capability, introducing pickup-only locations in airports, and enhancing its presence in hospitals, colleges, and retail spaces. The new Starbucks near Midway Airport will not only cater to travellers but also to those living and working in the surrounding community.
As the opening date approaches in September, anticipation builds among locals and travellers alike. The new Starbucks promises to be a bustling hub of activity, providing a convenient coffee fix, a place to socialise, and a boost to the local economy. With construction well underway, the wait for a Starbucks near Midway Airport is almost over.
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The new Starbucks location will bring development to the Cicero Avenue corridor
Chicago's Midway Airport has been undergoing a dramatic change in its restaurant offerings as part of a huge modernization project. While new eateries have been opening, well-known brands like McDonald's and Starbucks were notably absent from the mix. However, this is set to change with the recent groundbreaking for a new Starbucks location on the Southwest Side, just south of Midway Airport. This development is significant not just for the convenience of travelers but also for the impact it will have on the surrounding area, particularly the Cicero Avenue corridor.
The new Starbucks will be located at 6413 S. Cicero Ave, on a lot that has been vacant for 40 years. Previously a gas station, the site required soil remediation, with part of the proceeds from the land sale going towards this process. The development of this long-vacant lot represents a win for the city and the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. Alderman Marty Quinn highlighted the importance of this project, stating that it is much more than just a Starbucks, but a catalyst for further development and investment in the area.
The inclusion of Starbucks in the mix of concessions at Midway Airport is a response to traveler preferences. While the airport has focused on local food offerings, some passengers have expressed a desire for more typical fare, including well-known brands. The modernization project includes $75 million in funds for new food concessions, with over 70 new concessions expected to be in place. This balance between local options and familiar brands aims to cater to a diverse range of traveler preferences.
The new Starbucks location is part of a broader trend of development and investment in the Cicero Avenue corridor. The busy stretch near Midway Airport presents opportunities for economic growth and the enhancement of the surrounding community. The opening of Starbucks is expected to drive foot traffic and attract further investment to the area. This, in turn, can lead to the establishment of additional businesses and the creation of new jobs, contributing to the overall development and revitalization of the Cicero Avenue corridor.
The Cicero Avenue corridor has long been an important thoroughfare in Chicago, and the development of the new Starbucks reinforces its significance. With the support of city officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, this project exemplifies the potential for public-private partnerships to drive positive change and economic growth in the city. The remediation process for the site has already begun, and the new Starbucks is scheduled to open in September, marking a new chapter in the ongoing development of the Cicero Avenue corridor and Midway Airport's concessions.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago's Midway Airport has been undergoing a dramatic change, focusing on local food offerings, which is why well-known brands like Starbucks are not part of the mix.
The airport has a Dunkin Donuts location in baggage claim, and after the TSA security checkpoint, there are various local offerings.
Yes, in March 2024, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Starbucks location on a previously vacant lot near the airport. The new Starbucks is set to open in September 2024.
