Summary:
- Local New York food and beverage brands open at JFK Terminal 4, enhancing the airport’s sense of place and passenger experience.
- Port Authority and JFKIAT support diverse small businesses through training, mentorship and joint-venture concession partnerships.
- HMSHost collaboration brings authentic, community-driven dining to Terminal 4 as part of JFK’s ongoing transformation.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport – both Corporate Partners of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub – have welcomed the opening of two local businesses that offer food and beverages reflecting New York City’s diverse culinary scene. One business, Villa Russo Café, is a Queens-based graduate of the Port Authority’s specialised training program intended to increase the number of local and diverse businesses that are part of the concessions program at JFK.
Villa Russo Café and Brooklyn Tea & Market represent the first wave of joint-venture partnerships that HMSHost has formed with selected local and diverse businesses that will bring unique flavours and community-driven hospitality to JFK’s Terminal 4. The two new concepts were selected following a competitive process to provide travellers with authentic New York culinary experiences as part of JFKIAT’s partnership with HMSHost. The business owners received mentorship and operational guidance to successfully operate within an airport.
“We are thrilled to welcome small local businesses to JFK in our effort to make the airport truly feel like a mirror of the region it serves,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “New York and New Jersey are known around the world for distinct flavours and hospitality thanks to our region’s diversity, and we want air travellers to be able to get a sample of that upon arrival, for the duration of a layover, or as the last taste of an unforgettable trip to our region. We look forward to more local businesses joining our airport family as a new JFK takes shape throughout 2026.”
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton commented: “It is extremely gratifying to see local businesses expand, particularly ones that are part of the DNA of the community served by JFK. As a graduate of our Institute of Concessions, Villa Russo is now more than an Italian-American business in Queens. It now represents a taste of New York City to millions of air travellers who travel through Terminal 4 each year, as well as serve as an example of how a neighbourhood asset like our airport can help local small business owners thrive.”
These two new concepts kick-off the collaboration between JFKIAT and HMSHost to bring participation of local businesses into the operations of concessions at Terminal 4. Through this program, business owners benefit from HMSHost’s mentorship, preparing them with a potential opportunity to operate their own concession at JFK Airport in the future.
“The openings of Brooklyn Tea & Market and Villa Russo Café reflect our commitment to delivering an authentic New York City experience at Terminal 4 while supporting small businesses and celebrating diverse communities,” said JFKIAT Chief Executive Officer Roel Huinink. “These new concepts bring exceptional hospitality and distinctive offerings to our terminal, creating memorable experiences for travellers and highlighting the city’s rich culture. We look forward to seeing passengers enjoy the unique experiences these businesses bring, offering them a genuine taste of the city even while in transit.”
HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Anthony Alessi added: “We’re thrilled and honoured to bring Brooklyn Tea & Market and Villa Russo Café to JFK Terminal 4. Both local family‑owned favourites capture the flavour, traditions, and spirit that define the JFK community. Travellers can now enjoy an authentic taste of local culture from businesses that have long been part of the city’s fabric.”
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