USA, AZ: Barrio Brewing Co. to open at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport by the end of the year

A Tucson-based restaurant and brewery will soon open at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, AZ Central reported on August 6.

Barrio Brewing Co. will be located in the General Aviation Center and is expected to debut by the end of the year, though a firm opening date is not set. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will serve alcohol.

Gateway CEO Brian O’Neill said it will be open to the general public and travelers. He said students from nearby Arizona State University Polytechnic campus and Chandler-Gilbert Community College likely are clientele that will increase the business’ popularity.

Barrio’s brand is licensed by Mesa’s Kind Hospitality Inc., which will operate the airport facility.

Kind Hospitality also runs establishments such as Paradise Bakery at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and at Gateway. The company pitched a Barrio’s location to the Airport Authority Board of Directors in response to a request for proposals for the space. The board signed a 10-year lease on July 21.

The request followed the retirement of the owners of the previous occupant, Flight Deck Cafe.

The goal of Kind Hospitality’s pitch was to suggest “something attractive ... to bring people to Mesa Gateway,” said Nava Singam, CEO of the licensing company. “Barrio Brewing Company was unique. ...A lot of people are familiar with them.”

Barrio Brewing Company Owner Dennis Arnold, whose wife is from Mesa, called this an "amazing opportunity" and said he "couldn't be more excited."

The restaurant and brewery will cover nearly 4,000 square feet and Kind Hospitality will spend about $500,000 for renovations to the space, according to the agenda from a July 19 Board of Directors meeting. Gateway will provide up to $137,750 in reimbursements and rent credits.

07 August, 2016