Becoming more than just a place to catch a plane, Baltimore-Washington International Airport will take on the air of an upscale shopping mall next year under a plan approved yesterday by state officials.
Host International, a subsidiary of Host Marriott Corp. in Bethesda, was awarded a contract under which it will triple the number of airport shopping outlets and add brand-name merchandise. Twenty-three shops, six stalls and 10 kiosks will be leased by nationally known retailers and local entrepreneurs.
Shoppers will be able to select Christmas cards at Hallmark Express, listen to and buy the latest Lyle Lovett CD at Hear Music, replace coffee-stained neckwear at the Tie Rack, buy a telescope at the Nature Company and scoop up candy at Skyline Sweets -- a nice payoff for a poor spouse waiting for a late flight.
Shoppers will also be enriching the state government. Based on sales projections, the seven-year contract is expected to generate $15 million in fees to the state, double the amount of money the government has received from its current contract with Host International.
"We're very pleased with" the contract, said Theodore E. Mathison, administrator of BWI. Deputy Administrator Nick Schaus termed it a "definite upgrading of the retail opportunities and services available to the traveling public at BWI."
The shopping expansion is a response to the bustle at BWI, the nation's fastest-growing airport. Mr. Mathison said the number of travelers at the airport is expected to rise from 12.5 million in 1994 to 12.9 million in 1995.
Although geared to travelers, the shops also would serve visitors to an observation lounge, now under construction, he said. Many people "like to come to the airport to watch airplanes," Mr. Mathison said.
The emphasis on nationally known outlets such as the Nature Company reflects travelers' willingness to spend more money at such shops, compared to the "generic" operations run directly by Host International, said Stephen Izant, vice president for development at the company. Some other airports, including Pittsburgh's, took the lead in bringing in established retailers.
Other shops that will do business at BWI include cosmetic retailer the Body Shop, ASU Luggage, the Book Corner and Celebrate Maryland, an Eastern Shore firm specializing in Maryland products, Mr. Izant said.
Under a separate food service contract, the company already offers a variety of brand names at the airport, including Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Burger King.
Host International will replace its 11 existing gift and news shops beginning in the spring and summer of 1995 and expand into other areas of the airport, including the new international terminal, for which construction is scheduled to begin next year.
The shops will be dispersed, but the six stalls will be grouped in an area called "Market Walk," next to the planned observation lounge and will be run by small, local entrepreneurs who have yet to be selected, Mr. Izant said.
The Board of Public Works, headed by Gov. William Donald Schaefer, approved the contract, which Host International won in a bidding competition with W. H. Smith, a rival firm operating concessions at other airports.
The board also awarded a four-year contract to SuperShuttle Inc. to run buses and vans between the airport and downtown Baltimore, Baltimore County, Annapolis and other locations.