ST. GEORGE — Soon the vending machines will no longer be the sole source of food and drink for the hundreds of thousands of people flying in and out of the St. George Regional Airport each year.
Last week the St. George City Council approved a deal with Tailwind SGU, LCC to install a self-contained concessions kiosk at the airport. The kiosk will offer grab-and-go items like baked goods, smoothies, yogurt, sandwiches, drinks and an espresso bar, according to city documents. A small retail space for souvenirs and travel gear also is included.
According to the regional airport’s master plan, the concessions option at the airport was “one of existing elements that immediately require expansion” in order to continue accommodating the ever-increasing amount of people passing through.
“The existing concessions area at the terminal consists only of vending machines, and expanded concessions was one of the main requests of passengers through the passenger survey,” the master plan states.
Thus far only the handful of vending machines at the airport has offered remedies for those struck by hunger or thirst while at the airport. Other options just haven’t been available and no restaurants or convenience stores exist within close proximity to the airport.
Just as St. George and Washington County has grown overall and consistently been listed as one of the fastest-growing areas of the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, so too has the use of the St. George Regional Airport. Over 325,000 passengers passed through the airport in 2021, 90% of whom wanted fresh food options, according to city documents.
According to expanded-use needs outlined in the airport’s master plan, “as demand grows beyond existing levels the nature of the concessions are expected to evolve into the more traditional food and beverage type which would consist of prepared foods cold storage and likely a kitchen and supporting utilities. Even under the higher demand scenarios, it is likely that the concession will support food and beverage needs to both the secure and non-secure terminal elements.”
The kiosk will be located in the alcove of the airport terminal where the vending machines currently reside. It sits to the left of the main entrance and is anticipated to open around Aug. 1.
As a part of the deal, the city of St. George will receive a percentage of gross sales. Revenues from the kiosk are expected to be between $3,000 and $5,000 for the first year of operation.
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