Bradley International Airport Receives Recognition for Concession Upgrades

The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce that concession upgrades at Bradley International Airport (BDL) were recently jointly named “Airport Business Project of the Year” by Airport Business Magazine in the publication’s 2025 Retail and Concessions category. BDL was recognized for the introduction of two prominent storefronts located in the terminal – Charter Oak Emporium and CT River Landing. The storefronts, created in partnership with concessionaire partner Paradies Lagardère, anchor each side of the main terminal and showcase local history.

In November 2023, BDL opened the new Charter Oak Emporium, which used to be a Travel Mart. The store’s front entrance showcases the replicas of two oak trees, which pay tribute to their symbolic significance in Connecticut dating back to 1662. According to history, the state’s royal charter was hidden inside the trunk of a large white oak so that it couldn’t be confiscated, taking away Connecticut’s self-governing rights.

In September 2024, the airside lobby CNBC store was transformed into CT River Landing. The name pays tribute to the Connecticut River, which is the origin of Connecticut’s name. Flowing through the central part of the state, it extends all the way to northern New Hampshire – making it the longest river in New England.

“The recognition of both Charter Oak Emporium and CT River Landing reflects our commitment to modernizing the terminal and creating a sense of place that’s reflective of Connecticut and the New England region,” said Michael W. Shea, Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Our strategy is to create unique concessions that resonate with passengers and make our community proud."

The Airport Business Projects of the Year showcase transformative projects taking place at airports across North America among more than a dozen different categories, which, in addition to retail and concessions, includes security, technology, ground transportation, terminal construction, airfield operations and cargo.

In addition to the ongoing concession upgrades at BDL, the CAA is slated to unveil more than $250 million in infrastructure updates to the traveling public starting in the summer of 2025.