Restaurants

SeaTac Airport Interior. Image Credit: Prayitno (CC by 2.0)

As part of its current renovations, SeaTac Airport has announced closures of over a dozen of its current eateries. Chief among the cuts is the airport location of regional seafood chain Anthony’s restaurants, which according to The Seattle Times has been one of the highest-grossing sit-down airport restaurants nationwide since its opening 14 years ago. Most of the cuts have been to large corporate chains such as Burger King ans Starbucks, though some smaller establishments such as the Seattle Taproom are also on the chopping block. Much of the cuts are to eateries operated by HMHost, a company that partners with restaurants to provide airport locations.

In exchange, the airport will be getting more small-scale, boutique establishments such as Salt & Straw ice cream, Sunset Fried Chicken Sandwiches, and a vegetarian option developed by the creators of Cafe Flora. The airport plans to open more than twice the number of restaurants it will close when all is said and done. Spokespeople for the Port of Seattle have stated that most employees of the old restaurants will likely be hired back to work at new venues, a reassuring promise since SeaTac’s employees enjoy a high minimum wage standard of $16.09. SeaTac should complete it’s current cycle of renovations in 2021.