CDA announces the opening of FAO Schwarz’s newest retail outlet at Midway International Airport

CHICAGO, IL, 2019-Mar-12 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) today (03/11/2019) joined with Hudson Group, airport partners, and iconic retailer FAO Schwarz to open the newest retail outlet at Midway International Airport, located near Gate A5 on the A Concourse. The oldest toy store in the United States, FAO Schwarz has re-emerged on the retail scene with a fresh new branded look at Midway, featuring its iconic toy soldiers, bright signature logo, large toy displays and piano keyed flooring, and a nostalgic environment where everyone can be young at heart again.

“We are thrilled to welcome FAO Schwarz to Midway International Airport, and back to the City of Chicago,” said Jamie L. Rhee, Commissioner, CDA. “The addition of FAO Schwarz expands options for families, and is one of 70 reasons kids of all ages can look forward to shopping and dining at Midway. Through our concessions modernization program, we will deliver the first new brands to Midway in over 20 years, providing an elevated, streamlined experience for travelers and families.”

FAO Schwarz is one of 70 new food and retail brands arriving to Midway as part of a three-year modernization program that will transform the concessions program choices, expand the security checkpoint, and add a new terminal parking garage.

“With the opening of our newest store at Midway International Airport, FAO Schwarz is proud to offer its unique toys, one-of-a-kind playthings and nostalgia for children and their families as they travel in Chicago,” said David Conn, CEO of ThreeSixty Brands. “We are excited to partner with the City of Chicago to bring the world’s most iconic toy brand to a modernized airport in one of the world’s most iconic cities.”

A visit to FAO Schwarz is much more than a trip to a toy store. It will feature branded FAO Schwarz products such as bumper car sets, 30-piece electric train sets, vintage microphones and fire station playsets, classic Christmas ornaments and snow globes, and the giant dance mat piano. Plush animals from the prehistoric to the realistic to the fantastic – dinosaurs, bears, dogs, and unicorns – are also prominently featured for the delight of kids of all ages.

“Hudson Group is committed to delivering exceptional, one-of-a-kind experiences to our guests here in Chicago and throughout North America,” said Evan Schut, senior vice president of Operations at Hudson Group. “FAO Schwarz is an iconic brand with exciting shopping for adults and children alike, and we could not be more proud to open new FAO stores as an expansion of our current portfolio.”

Frederick August Otto Schwarz’s dream to create a marvelous bountiful emporium full of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind toys from all over the world became a reality, and it provided this wonder to families for more than 150 years since its inception in 1862.

This FAO Schwarz shop marks the 13th new addition to arrive at Midway as part of the three-year, $75 million makeover by the CDA and Midway Partnership a joint venture comprised of Hudson Group, Vantage Airport Group, and SSP America. The new development has already brought on a new 15,000 square foot food hall on Concourse A featuring several new concepts to the airport, including Arami Sushi, Billy Goat Tavern, Nuts on Clark, Reilly’s Daughter, Woodgrain Neapolitan Pizzeria, with an adjacent iStore. Also new to Midway in January Chicago’s own Big Shoulders Coffee, and in Concourse B this past May BIG & little’s, Porkchop BBQ, and Camden food co.

Midway is also poised to open several new and authentic dining and shopping locations in 2019, including DeCOLORES, Einstein Bros Bagel, Hubbard Inn, Home Run Inn, and the return of Harry Caray’s. In addition to FAO Schwarz, several nationally-known retail offerings operated by Hudson Group will bring passengers a modern shopping experience by 2020 including: Kiehl’s, Coach, Mac, and Swatch.

For more information about Midway Modernization Program, please visit www.MDWmod.com. For more about FAO Schwarz, visit www.faoschwarz.com and @faoschwarz.

Source: Chicago Department of Aviation

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