Sea-Tac Airport to Have Anthony's Restaurant

Three-way deal brings respected local eatery to airport

Travelers passing through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will soon have a chance to eat at one of the Seattle area's most popular restaurants. The Port of Seattle announced today that Anthony's Restaurant will be the anchor food and beverage concession in the airport's soon-to-be-opened Pacific Marketplace.

Port officials couldn't be happier about the arrangement.

"We want the shops and restaurants in our airport to be a reflection of the Seattle area," said Pat Davis, president and chair of the Port Commission. "When it comes to fine dining, Anthony's is the best example I can think of."

To be located in the airport's renovated central terminal area, the restaurant and the rest of the Pacific Marketplace are expected to open in early 2005.

"The airport's ambitious capital improvement program is moving forward," added Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of aviation for the Port. "Completion of the central terminal renovation project will be a significant milestone. I look forward to celebrating that with dinner at Anthony's."

Anthony's currently operates eighteen restaurants in thirteen waterfront locations in the Puget Sound area. From classic "to go" eateries to casual dining and relaxed dinnerhouses, Anthony's core commitment is to fresh Northwest seafood complemented by local produce and Northwest wines and microbrews.

"We are thrilled to be coming to Sea-Tac Airport", said Tom Diller, Vice President of Operations for Anthony's. "Passengers traveling through Sea-Tac for the first time will have the opportunity to have a truly Northwest dining experience at the airport. Our local guests will find the fresh Northwest seafood and friendly, professional service they expect from Anthony's with an entirely new view."

The restaurant will be operated by Anton Airfood, as a licensee of Anthony's. Anton Airfood is an internationally renowned airport food and beverage company that received the Airport Retail News 2003 Best Food and Beverage Operator Award. Anton Airfood who operates 136 restaurants in 22 airport terminals, has won this prestigious award for the 7th consecutive year.

"Becoming a part of the Sea-Tac family is a dream come true for our company as we've always wanted to be in the exciting and vibrant Seattle market. And being associated with a quality brand like Anthony's is the frosting on the cake" said William C. Anton Chairman and Founder of AAI.

There will be other dining options in the Pacific Marketplace, but Anthony's will be the anchor restaurant. Pacific Marketplace will also include retail shops featuring locally and nationally known brand names and as well as quality clothing and accessories.

The 7000 square foot restaurant is expected to employ 120 people. The airport is a significant contributor to the local economy, producing nearly 18,000 jobs directly at Sea-Tac and 50,000 related jobs in local businesses.

According to the contract between Anton and the Port, menu prices will be identical to those at Anthony's Bell Street Diner and Chinook's restaurants. All new restaurants opening at Sea-Tac will have "street pricing" as a requirement of their lease.

"People don't need to find a place to eat on the way to the airport just to save a few dollars," Lindsey said. "They can come to the airport, go through security, and then relax and have a great meal here."