HMSHost Celebrates Opening of New Empire State Building Retail Store

BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visitors to the landmark Empire State Building are being treated to a brand new shopping experience. HMSHost Corporation, a world leader in creating shopping and dining outlets in travel venues, is celebrating the renovation of The Empire State Building’s retail store located in its new space on the 80^th floor. Visitors have convenient access to Empire: The Store when exiting from the Observatory Deck.

Since 1991, HMSHost has provided full retail services to the Empire State Building in operation of the store. A recent lease extension granted HMSHost the right to operate and manage the store through 2020.

”The Empire State Building is New York City’s preeminent tourist attraction. HMSHost has transformed the store and their merchandise to make it a highlight for our visitors to enjoy,” said Empire State Building General Manager, James T. Connors.

Browser-friendly and stocked with upscale gifts and proprietary Empire State Building products, Empire: The Store’s shoppers can take home a reminder of their visit to one of New York’s most revered landmarks. The store’s ambiance features a nod to the building’s famous Art Deco design.

“Visitors to the world’s great destinations want a shopping environment that is easily integrated into their overall tourism experience,” said Joan Ryzner, senior vice president, HMSHost Retail. “We redesigned the retail space to delight visitors with the spirit and excitement of the Empire State Building and the great city of New York.”

The expanded 3,000 square-foot store is open from 8:00 am until 2:00 am, seven days a week, 365 days a year to serve the nearly four million people who visit the Observatory Deck each year. Stainless steel and glass utilized in the store design pay homage to the work of building architects Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, and to the industrial images captured by the building’s legendary documentary photographer Lewis Hine.

As part of the new store opening, HMSHost is introducing an exclusive line of licensed merchandise carrying the Empire State Building logo. The logo’s design adheres to the recognized Art Deco architecture with a stepped form and facets. Independent artisans Pane in the Glass and Fineline Crystal of New York have been commissioned to create one-of-a-kind crystal glassware, ornaments and other collectibles available for purchase on at the Empire State Building.

The limited edition of Thirteen Months to Go by Geraldine Wagner, which chronicles the contest between two industrial moguls racing to construct the tallest building in the world, is a featured title in the store. In addition, customers will find Building the Empire State, written by Carol Willis, curator of New York’s Skyscraper Museum.

Sean Kenney, a full-time artist who works exclusively with LEGO bricks, created a LEGO sculpture of the Empire State Building. Over 4 feet tall, and detailed with over 13,000 tiny LEGO bricks, it was commissioned as the centerpiece and is now proudly displayed at Empire: The Store.

The redesign of Empire: The Store is HMSHost’s most recent investment in New York’s tourism industry. The company has developed and currently manages retail and dining concessions at all major area airports with offerings that include Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market, Sapphire Lounge and Todd English’s Bonfire restaurant at JFK’s Terminal 7, which opened last month. In addition, HMSHost operates concessions at 12 travel plazas on the New York State Thruway. HMSHost employs more than 2,100 associates at its airport, Thruway and Empire State Building locations.

About HMSHost

HMSHost is a world leader in creating shopping and dining for travel venues. HMSHost operates in more than 100 airports around the globe, including the 20 busiest airports in North America. The Company has annual sales in excess of $2.6 billion and employs more than 33,000 sales associates worldwide. A part of Autogrill S.p.A, HMSHost and the rest of the Autogrill Group are recognized leaders in travel restaurants and retail. With sales exceeding €4.8 billion, Autogrill is present in 42 countries with more than 5,300 points of sale in more than 1,200 locations (including 216 airports and 704 motorways) where 68,000 employees serve over 890 million customers every year. Visit www.HMSHost.com for more information.

About the Empire State Building

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the "World's Most Famous Office Building." With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper's robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was recently named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects.