Renowned Regional Brewer Signs Lease to Open a Restaurant and Bar at the Airport
CLEVELAND, May 28, 2009 – The award-winning lagers, ales and porters from Great Lakes Brewing Company, a Cleveland original, will soon flow from the tap at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). BAA Cleveland, developer of the AIRMALL® at CLE, has forged a lease agreement with Cleveland Partners, LLC, who will introduce an enhanced, brand-approved version of the Great Lakes Brewing Company restaurant and bar in the AIRMALL®, bringing more regional flavor to the airport.
“From Dortmunder Gold Lager to Blackout Stout and Burning River Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Company has developed a well-deserved reputation for mastering the art and science of brewing. BAA Cleveland is delighted to welcome them as one of the new concepts that are arriving at the AIRMALL® at CLE,” said Mark Knight, president of BAA Cleveland. “With the AIRMALL®, we are creating a strategic mix of high-quality local and national concepts, and Great Lakes will certainly bring both local flavor and unmistakable quality to travelers.”
Established in 1988, Great Lakes Brewing Company was the first microbrewery in the state and today remains Ohio’s most celebrated and award-winning brewer of lagers and ales. Owners of the brewery have incorporated European brewing techniques to create their award-winning beers and are committed to using only the freshest ingredients.
“Our partnership with BAA Cleveland will give passengers a true flavor of the Great Lakes Brewing Company concept while introducing new elements that the airport traveler is seeking – local and organic food offerings, breakfast served daily, increased seating and improved customer service,” said Pat Conway, co-owner of Great Lakes Brewing Company. “We couldn’t be more pleased to introduce visitors to our city’s award-winning brewery, and we’re excited to work with a partner that is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for the customer.”
When it opens at Concourse C at the AIRMALL® at CLE, the new Great Lakes Brewing Company (approximately 3,000 sq. ft.) will include a full-service restaurant and bar. Along with a great selection of locally brewed ales and lagers, travelers will also be able to choose from the restaurant’s full menu of appetizers, pub favorites, sandwiches and dinner selections.
“Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is indeed a gateway to our great city,” said Ricky Smith, director of the Cleveland Airport System. “When travelers are here, we want them to have an authentic Cleveland experience. Great Lakes Brewing Company is a local treasure, and we are pleased that they will soon be added to the line-up of terrific restaurants and bars that are part of the new concessions program.”
The AIRMALL® is being developed by BAA Cleveland, which has been commissioned by the City of Cleveland to manage concessions at CLE. The city anticipates the AIRMALL® will double the current participation rate of local and minority-owned companies, double the number of concession jobs, and double retail sales figures during the next decade. When complete, the AIRMALL® at CLE will occupy 76,000 square feet of retail space.