2/29/2016 | Source: Airport World | By Joe Bates [Read Original Article]

The massive overhaul of nearly every store and restaurant at Washington’s Reagan National and Dulles airports has reached a major milestone with the opening of the 100th new shopping and dining option between the two airports.

The 100th new concession – fashion jewellery brand Erwin Pearl – recently opened at Dulles International Airport just 21 months into the four-year redevelopment programme.

“From the beginning of the redevelopment, our focus has been to bring a new variety of shopping and dining options to the airports, providing our passengers with local, regional and national favourites that will enhance and highlight their time with us,” says Steve Baker, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s vice president for customer and concession development.

“Our passengers’ journeys begin with us, and we want to make sure that beginning is a positive, memorable experience.”

Establishing both airports with world-class food and retail, as well as creating a sense of place that incorporates the uniqueness and identity of the National Capital Region, has been a top priority for MWAA and its concession manager, MarketPlace Development.

“It’s vital that the airport food and retail offerings express the character of the DC metropolitan area and fulfill the needs of the modern traveller,” says Paul McGinn, president of MarketPlace Development.

Passengers at Dulles International can now indulge in a selection of specialty brands and local favourites, including Burberry, Montblanc, L’Occitane, Michael Kors, Swarovski, Coach, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, District ChopHouse, Smashburger, DC’s own Chef Geoff’s, and ABC’s ‘The Chew’ host, chef Michael Symon’s Bar Symon.

Passengers flying in and out of Ronald Reagan National Airport can now enjoy noteworthy offerings that include DC’s Ben’s Chili Bowl, Chef Mike Isabella’s Kapnos Taverna, Legal Sea Foods, Lebanese Taverna, Taylor Gourmet, Cava Mezza Grill, American Tap Room, &pizza, Spanx, Tumi, Brighton, Brooks Brothers, Lacoste, and Vineyard Vines.

The redevelopment remains ongoing at both airports.

In coming months passengers will see additional new offerings, including Wolfgang Puck’s ‘The Kitchen’  at Dulles International and ‘Big Bowl’, serving authentic Thai and Chinese cuisine, at Reagan National.

Further announcements of new stores and restaurants will be made in the coming months.