Angelina's Metro Market Debuts Flagship Store at LaGuardia Airport

Angelina's Metro Market, a new gourmet market concept, opened its inaugural location yesterday in the Central Terminal Building at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

Developed and managed by Baldwin, N.Y.-based MAR AIR Foods, which operates franchises as well as its own brands in several major airports, the format is a high-end 1,136-square-foot gourmet market featuring convenient organic and natural foods. Shoppers can choose from a selection of freshly prepared Barilla pastas and sauces, including Pomodoro and Basil Pesto Sauce, in addition to organic and natural greens with 60 topping options, enabling customers to create their own salads.

Fresh pastries, New York-style bagels, muffins and scones are delivered daily and warmed quickly in high-tech ovens. Further store offerings include imported and domestic yogurts, cheeses, spreads, deli meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and over 120 beverages, among them organic, ethnic, energy and healthy options. Custom packaging allows the airport's visitors to take the food with when they board their planes.

The market has a Manhattan-style food emporium feel, with an emphasis on quality offerings and exemplary customer service, according to the Food & Shops at LaGuardia Airport.

Later this month, MAR AIR Foods will open an Angelina's Panini Bar at LaGuardia's Gates B, post-security. The Metro Market satellite will carry an assortment of hot, oven-toasted and grilled panini sandwiches.

When asked about future sites, MAR AIR Foods president Rich Rosamilia replied: "With respect to more stores or satellite locations, we are taking a thoughtful approach to expansion. It's a new concept for us, and we want to make sure we’ve got it absolutely right before we roll it out to other locations."

The Central Terminal Building, the largest of LaGuardia's four terminals, is in the midst of an $18 million, 50,000-square-foot redevelopment of its food and retail program by Newton, Mass.-based MarketPlace Development, a private retail development and management company, in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Noted Lillian Tan, MarketPlace Development VP and GM: "The program is continually under redevelopment. We are constantly assessing the needs of the traveling public to determine how we can best meet those needs."