Delaware North’s travel division last week announced the opening of two new retail outlets at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The outlets, Toy Joy® and The Austin Chronicle Marketplace, are part of the airport’s recent nine-gate expansion and overall renovation to its dining and retail offerings.
Toy Joy is an Austin-born toy store that offers an array of eclectic toys, games and novelties. Toy Joy features a warm and endearing shopping experience while also offering an edgy and funky collection of fun, classic, nostalgic, retro, collectible and “a little weird” toys and gifts. The original Toy Joy store opened in downtown Austin in 1987 and currently operates two street-side stores in the city.
“It took awhile to find the right partner, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how Delaware North and its design agency, RGLA, have brought Toy Joy to life in the airport setting. Three years in the planning, you cannot miss the giant graphics and bright colors of our store as you walk down that concourse! We love doing our part to ‘Keep Austin Weird.’”
Another component of the store is Yummi Joy, a companion concept that grew out of Toy Joy into its own standalone business unit in 2017 featuring candies from around the world, handmade fudge, truffles and other delectable treats.
Named after Austin’s beloved weekly newspaper, The Austin Chronicle Marketplace offers travelers a one-stop shop that integrates reading materials with other travel convenience needs and essentials. Travelers will notice the clever connection of wayfinding that has the look and feel of the Austin Chronicle newspaper. The exterior wall represents an interaction point with travelers — triggering a great photo op for visitors to the city.
The openings are part of the ongoing dining and retail transformation at AUS, for which Delaware North has added several award-winning stores that have captured the essence of the famously “weird” Texas capital.
Earlier this year, the expanded and renovated Salt Lick BBQ restaurant at AUS was named the Best Local-Inspired Restaurant by Airport Experience News, while I VINI, a modern Italian wine bar and eatery, earned second place for Best New Local Concept in 2018 at the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA)’s Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards.
On the retail side, Tyler’s Austin Warehouse, which sells top-branded activewear and sports apparel, earned third place for Best New Retail Concept in ACI-NA’s 2019 Excellence in Airport Concessions Awards.
Other new restaurants opened by Delaware North at the airport include an expanded footprint of the popular Annie’s Café, Peached Tortilla, JuiceLand, Flyrite Chicken Sandwiches, East Side Pies, Tacodeli and Haymakers.