Leading airport retailer enters new markets in the West
TAMPA, FL — June 22, 2018 -- Stellar Partners, Inc. (Stellar) today announces the acquisition of Avila Retail Development & Management, LLC (Avila) which will increase its airport retail footprint in the western region of the United States. Stellar is a leading travel venue retailer with a diverse portfolio of more than 40 stores located in 10 airports.
Avila is an award-winning airport retailer known for developing innovative concepts including Mosaic, Earth Spirit, and Indigenous that create a sense of place by showcasing local artists and jewelers. The company was established as an airport retailer in 1990 by John and Kathleen Avila and now operates 25 stores in Albuquerque, Denver, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Stellar and Avila share years of mutual admiration and common values. Together, they will now provide an extensive portfolio of exclusive brands plus decades of operating expertise to airports across North America.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Avila and its talented management team into the Stellar family,” said Stellar Founder Susan Stackhouse. “This acquisition is a key part of Stellar’s strategic growth plan. It both broadens our retail portfolio and delivers on our objective to grow our business in North American airports. Avila is a regional leader in specialty, news, and convenience retail and their expertise will help us develop dynamic new concepts.”
“Since founding Avila 40 years ago, we have surrounded ourselves with an excellent team who has been integral to our success. We are excited by the opportunities that this transaction with Stellar will provide for our staff, perpetuating the dream that Kathleen and I had to bring an authentic local shopping experience to airports,” said Avila Founder John Avila. "Stellar has an outstanding reputation and shares our commitment to developing exceptional brands. We look forward to bringing our organizations together to accomplish great things."
The transaction is expected to close in late summer.
About Stellar Partners, Inc.
Stellar Partners, Inc. is a leading airport retailer based in Tampa, FL with over 30 years of experience and 40 stores in 10 major U.S. airports from coast to coast. Stellar operates award-winning, proprietary brands Stellar News, Stellar Bay, Stellar Books, Mindworks, and Sol Shades. Stellar's outstanding brand partners include Chico’s FAS family of brands: Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma, regional favorites Ron Jon Surf Shop and Travel Outfitters plus well-known luxury brands Swarovski, TUMI, and L’Occitane. Stellar was named Best Airport Retailer for 2016 by Airport Revenue News. For further information, visit StellarAirportStores.com.
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
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