USA. SSP America has opened several new F&B concepts at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) Terminal B. These include Jim Stump’s Taproom + Kitchen, Greenlee’s, Runway Deli and Jamba.
Jim Stump’s Taproom + Kitchen, unveiled in April, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The gastropub-style menu features South Bay Chef Jim Stump’s specialties, including quinoa and kale salad and his trademark Bolognese. It also offers a tailored list of craft beers, cocktails and wines such as San José-based J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines as the house brand.
SSP America Senior Vice President of Business Development and Airport Retention Paul Loupakos said: “This is the first of the concepts we will develop here at SJC, and we’re truly looking forward to a continued partnership with the airport team. Chef Jim Stump has been a fantastic partner and is a true culinary legend in the South Bay area. We couldn’t be more delighted to bring a ‘taste of place’ to SJC with him.”
SJC Principal Property Manager Rebekah Bray commented: “SSP America’s acquisition of the airport concession’s contract in 2019 presented us with an opportunity to reimagine our programme, provide concepts that resonate with our passenger, and reflect the look and feel of Silicon Valley.
“The programme includes concepts that showcase local and well-recognised chefs such as Jim Stump. SSP America’s partnership with Jim Stump and J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has resulted in a wonderful sense of place and a warm, family-friendly environment at the airport that draws the local community together and creates a memorable airport dining experience that we’re proud to offer to travellers.”
Family-owned bakery Greenlee’s has opened a pop-up self-serve kiosk in Terminal B, featuring its signature cinnamon bread, artisan breads and pastries for a limited time.
WSE Group introduced Jamba and Runway Deli in May. These two new outlets represent the airport’s first concessions that are fully owned and operated by the company, an ACDBE (Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise).
Runway Deli offers a full menu of grab-and-go meals and snacks and made-to-order sandwiches, while Jamba features fresh-squeezed juices and signature smoothies.
Mineta San José International Airport Director John Aitken said: “The opening of Jamba and Runway Deli is very exciting for us at SJC and for the small business community. It represents the demand of our growing passenger base, as well as the success of the airport’s ACDBE programme. We are proud to have WSE Group as part of the airport concession programme over the past 20 years as their company has grown. We look forward to their continued success.”
The two new concepts underline the airport’s commitment to providing a wide selection of high-quality concessions and amenities to travellers, the airport operator noted. It also partners with small and local businesses to provide opportunities to operate in a major airport environment under the ACDBE programme.
Underlining such principles, the airport has achieved 10.74% ACDBE participation on a goal of 10.10% for non-rental car participation.
WSE Group President Bianca Wilczoch commented: “As a woman of colour working in this industry, I find being supported by and collaborating with other first-generation entrepreneurs helps to further the inclusion of other generations to follow. Organisations like AMAC (Airport Minority Advisory Council) also advance these efforts and WSE Group’s CEO, Jose Placencia, is delighted to have been deeply involved with AMAC for many years.”
WSE Group Inc. Founder and CEO Jose Placencia added: “Opening the Jamba and Runway Deli concepts at SJC, together with my partner and daughter Bianca, is not only exciting but reminiscent of WSE’s beginning with master concession contracts from both Stanford University and UC Berkeley athletic departments.”
Founded in 1980, WSE Group started out as the master concessionaire for UC Berkeley and Stanford for over two decades, and servicing major events such as the 1985 Superbowl and the 1994 World Cup.
In 1989, the company became an ACDBE joint venture partner with HMSHost for retail concessions, expanding to food & beverage, and later adding University of California at San Francisco to its list of patrons. Its first contract at Mineta San José International Airport was in 2000 as a sub-tenant of HMS Host.
Wilczoch, who is also the daughter of the company’s founder Jose Placencia, said this opening represents a big win for the company on many levels. She noted that with the shift to being a direct lease tenant, she intends to maintain her father’s style of leadership. Wilczoch said: “I admire him so much. I would like to emulate what he’s done for our family. Egalitarianism is a big driver for us.”
Wilczoch said WSE Group prides itself on its diversity, noting that the company employs people from all backgrounds and experience levels. She noted: “Just like anything else, getting in the door is the hardest part. HMSHost gave my father that opportunity and it developed into over 40 years in business.” ✈
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report publishes the FAB Newsletter, which features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
The company also hosts The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards, which will take place on 12-13 September in Bangkok, Thailand after a four-year COVID-driven absence. Notably, FAB’s remit has been extended this year to feature wider airport hospitality services, including hotels and lounges.
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