Date:	Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006
Contact:	Julie Adam 251-650-1487 251-895-3264
Email:	julie@mobairport.com

Hudson Group Begins Construction of New Food Service and Retail Stores


Mobile, Alabama: Today the Mobile Airport Authority and Hudson Group began construction of three new food service and retail facilities at Mobile Regional Airport. The three facilities include a Hudson News Store and two combined food, beverage and retail locations. Hudson Group will renovate and expand the existing Hudson News Store, increasing its size to approximately 1,680 sq. ft. The second facility, composed of a Quiznos Sub Shop, Hudson News and Chart Room Bar will occupy 1,867 sq. ft. on the second floor mezzanine next to the screening checkpoint. Hudson will locate the third facility adjacent to Gate 2. The 1,361 sq. ft. facility will include a Carpe Diem Coffee and Tea, a Chart Room Bar & Grill and a Hudson News Store. The Hudson News Store and the Quiznos Sub/Hudson News/Chart Room Bar facility open for business on September 7, 2006 and September 16, 2006, respectively. The entire construction process is expected to extend into December with the third and final unit being complete on December 9th, 2006.

The three units house five main concepts:
1. Hudson News: candy, gum, mints, snacks, bottled beverages, film, camera, batteries, health and beauty products, medicine, travel accessories, travel electronics, digital wireless phone accessories, stationary, sundries, Mobile themed products
2. Quiznos Sub Shop: sandwiches, light subs, salads, soups, breakfast items, desserts, fountain beverages
3. Chart Room Bar: full service bar, fountain beverages, pastries, specialty coffee
4. Carpe Diem Café: specialty coffee, roasted coffee, iced coffee/tea beverages, frozen drinks, pastries, bottled beverages
5. Cruise City Bar & Grill: full service bar, full breakfast, hot grill menu, cold sandwiches, snacks, beverages


The construction process officially began today with the completion of the two temporary units. The temporary units hide the construction sites while construction ensues and are easy to remove when construction is complete. The temporary units also house limited amounts of merchandise and refreshments for patrons before and after they go through security.

Hudson’s new Concession concepts bring many exciting changes. The new Concessions Program will be approximately 15% larger than the current program and will provide more food, beverage and retail options both before and after the security checkpoint. The new Program includes many of Mobile’s best locally owned companies, companies such as Carpe Diem, Tanner’s Pecans and Mobile Popcorn. The three Concession locations will be open 30 minutes before the first flight and 30 minutes after the last flight.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with Hudson Group and to have a presence at the Mobile Regional Airport. We look forward to growing our brand and providing superior quality and service to our customers, remarked, Carpe Diem owner, Tomi Sue Rusling.

The Hudson Group is the largest airport retailer in North America, with 475 stores in 54 airports generating sales in excess of $475 million annually. Hudson Group has been operating in airports since 1987.

The Mobile Airport Authority owns and operates the Mobile Regional Airport where US Airways Express, Continental Express, Delta Air Lines, ASA, American Eagle Airlines and Northwest Airlink provide convenient and competitively priced all-jet service on 21 daily departures to five of the nation’s largest hubs. The Airport offers exceptional customer service through convenient parking, a comfortable and friendly terminal, the Passport frequent flyer program, the Executive Club, Airport Shuttle, Valet Parking and Valet Car Wash. The Airport Authority also aggressively recruits better air service to support Mobile’s economic development. Mobile Regional Airport is an independent, self-funded entity that receives no local tax dollars.

For more information about Mobile Regional Airport call (251) 633-4510 or visit the airport’s Web site at http://www.mobairport.com




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