More Local Flavor in Store for Travelers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
As more fliers pass through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to take to the skies, they will discover new shops lining the concourse. Three new units now anchor the new Concourse A extension, including regional favorites Miss Shirley’s Café’s first airport location and a second R&R Seafood Bar. District Market brings more local goodness to the airport with Maryland’s iconic Otterbein’s Cookies.
“We are thrilled to welcome these delightful additions to BWI Marshall Airport. Despite the delays this past year due to the pandemic, seeing Miss Shirley’s new cafe, a beautiful R&R Seafood Bar, and District Market now open for passengers makes all the difference,” said Gary Gilliard, vice president of Fraport Maryland, the developer and manager of the retail program at BWI. “The response has been very positive.”
“These iconic brands give our guests a taste of what the Baltimore/Washington region has to offer,” says BWI Executive Director/CEO Ricky Smith. “It’s a testament to our commitment to enhance the passenger experience by bringing more local flavor to our program and all our retail, food and service offerings at the airport.”
First up in the expanded Concourse A is the new 616 square-foot District Market store. This one-stop shop features travel essentials including health and beauty, tech accessories, snacks, gifts and more. Regional specialties range from T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, keepsakes and famous Otterbein’s crisp, thin cookies. The concept has a proven track record in airports, including LGA and SFO. Hours are: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In its 16th year, Miss Shirley’s Café, a local family owned restaurant, is serving its award-winning breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and snacks in a new 2,100 square-foot café and full bar at BWI – its fourth location and first in an airport. Miss Shirley’s specialties are rooted in Southern-inspired fare with a focus on fresh ingredients from the Chesapeake Bay. Signature items include Spicy Shirley, Fried Green Tomatoes, Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, Griddle Cakes, Three Egg Omelets, plus soups, salads, and sandwiches. The new restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with extended hours to accommodate flight schedules.
A fan favorite, R&R Seafood Bar’s new location is docked at the end of the Concourse A extension. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned raw bar, R&R specializes in fresh Chesapeake Bay regional seafood, including the Obrycki’s crab cake, raw oysters, and the popular Crabby Mary cocktail. Conveniently located near six departure gates, the spacious, “open air” restaurant and bar offers counter seating for 47 guests in 1,830 square feet of space. Hours are 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. The first R&R Seafood Bar at BWI opened in 2017. It is named in honor of the owners’ parents, Rose and Richard Cernak.
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from our guests,” said Cheri, Rob, and Cindy Cernak, owners of R&R Seafood Bar. “We are fortunate to have loyal customers who come back again and again because of our delicious food and great customer service. As our parents taught us, always treat every customer like they are your family.”
