Shelf Awareness reports that Chicago staple Barbara’s Bookstore is opening five stores in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and partnering with Hudson Group, the airport, rail, bus and hotel store operator; Hartman Group, which publishes N’DIGO, a weekly newspaper serving Chicago’s African-American community; and Blue Daring Consulting, a marketing, PR and retail consulting company. Called Barbara’s Bookstores at O’Hare, the stores will have exteriors featuring large photographs of famous Chicago authors. Construction will begin soon; the concession runs for seven years.
Don Barliant, president of Barbara’s Bookstores, said in a a statement: “We are delighted that the city has selected Barbara’s, an authentic hometown business with a strong commitment to diversity, to serve O’Hare Airport. Our experienced bookselling staff is eager to begin catering to the airport’s employees, airline crews, and of course travelers. That means hand-picked merchandise selections, special order services, discount offers, celebrity book signings, and sales incentives that people expect from Barbara’s.”
According to Joseph DiDomizio, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Hudson Group: “As the largest travel retailer in North America, Hudson brings considerable operational firepower to the partnership. As the incumbent bookstore operator in Chicago-O’Hare since late 2003, we are very familiar with the airport’s processes and procedures. We look forward to working with Don and his team to create some of the most attractive, exciting and functional airport bookstores anywhere, right here in Chicago.”