The Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) is delighted to announce the opening of its newest flagship retail stores, The Locks and Maison de la Presse, located in the revitalized centre court area past security.

The Locks carries a blend of travel retail and convenience items along with locally sourced confections and gifts. Local brands such as Flourish Stonewear, Garden Path Homemade Soap, Hummingbird Chocolate and Purple Urchin offer travellers an authentic taste and experience of Canada’s capital region.

Maison de la Presse, a renowned global bookstore brand, features its classic mix of bestselling novels, Canadian and foreign literature and non-fiction, and various periodicals.

These two stores are the centrepiece of a brand-new retail concessions program, which along with a revitalized food and beverage program, will transform YOW over the next few years. The stores are built and operated by Paradies Lagardère, who was the successful respondent to the OIAA’s Request for Proposals in 2018 for a new master retail concessions operator. As an integral part of the OIAA’s YOW+ revitalization project, which also included relocating and enhancing the new CATSA+ security screening area, YOW’s new concessions program will provide passengers with an exciting, modern and relevant product and service offering.

“We welcome Paradies Lagardère’s long-standing commitment to YOW,” said Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the OIAA. “These two new retail stores are tailored for today’s passengers; they combine travel essentials with unique, local specialty products.”

“We congratulate the OIAA on their vision and execution of their outstanding new concessions program,” said Gregg Paradies, President and CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “We appreciate their partnership and are thrilled to contribute two fantastic new stores that will engage travellers and enhance the overall experience at YOW.”

Over the coming months, in accordance with increasing passenger volumes, Paradies Lagardère will add several other elements to its revitalized retail concessions program.