Stella’s returns to former site at Winnipeg airport

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This article was published 15/11/2024 (335 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Stella’s restaurant in the departures area of the Richardson Winnipeg International Airport was one of the busiest in its eight-store chain.

But it was forced to close in 2020, when airport passengers numbers were slashed amid public health restrictions.

Now, it’s back, by popular demand — with an expanded footprint in its old location near the security entrance for departing travellers.

The just-opened eatery includes more than 100 seats — featuring the same Stella’s menu and the prices as its other Winnipeg locations — a 30-seat bar, six TV screens and a grab-and-go café area featuring paninis, breakfast sandwiches, salads and homemade bakery items.

Rob Del Grosso, Stella’s vice-president of operations, said the company was not thinking of rebuilding at the airport until the Winnipeg Airports Authority asked it to reconsider.

“We knew how popular it was,” Del Grosso said. “We also knew that the airport traffic is increasing. When we started working with the airport, they said there was demand from staff and customers wanting us back.”

Although it was originally hoped to reopen some time ago, Del Grosso said time and attention was required to get the project right.

Tyler MacAfee, WAA vice-president of communications and government relations, said everyone at the airport is glad to have it back.

“Stella’s was a great partner for the airport before the pandemic,” he said. “It adds local flavour to the terminal. We try to have a mix of national and international pieces with some local flavour.”

With successful new direct flights to places like Los Angeles and Atlanta, Winnipeg passenger traffic is expected to hit pre-pandemic levels next year.

In addition to an expanded bar area, Del Grosso thinks the grab-and-go café area will be hit.

Stella’s has a similar offering at its new Corydon Avenue store; Del Grosso said the company is looking for other locations for a similar kind of offering.

MacAfee said it’s also attractive for airport staff.

“It’s something that sometimes gets lost,” he said. “Everybody there now has another option and it’s not an insignificant percentage of sales from airport employees.”

Del Grosso is proud the new Stella’s will offer the same pricing as its other stores — which is not always an option for airport travellers.

MacAfee said, especially for restaurants located on the other side of the security area, there can be increased costs due to the logistics of moving supplies back and forth.

“There are extra steps involved that can drive up costs,” he said. “Stella’s really wanted to be able to offer street pricing at the airport. They wanted their customer to be able to have that consistent experience.”

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca