Hudson Group plans to close its travel stores at the Orlando International Airport ahead of a major overhaul that will add dozens of new dining and retail options to the airport’s lineup, including a variety of local favorites.
The company notified the state last month that it expects to lay off 44 employees when six Hudson News retail locations in terminals A and B shut down in January or early February of next year. The stores sell books, snacks and other travel essentials.
“The concessions contract is transitioning to a new operator,” said Raven Padgett, a Hudson spokeswoman, in a statement. “During this process, we are prioritizing our employees and actively working to connect impacted team members with opportunities with the new operator.”
A fixture in airports nationwide, Hudson operates more than 1,000 stores across North America.
The Hudson shops in Orlando’s busy airport will be occupied by new businesses, Angela Starke, an airport spokeswoman, said in an email.
Construction is expected to start next year on the airport’s three-phase concession plan, which will redevelop more than 200,000 square feet of space. Restaurant and retail openings are planned from next summer through late 2028 in terminals A and B, the airport’s older facilities.
Phase 1 of the plan includes adding a variety of Central Florida eateries, including 4Rivers Southern Smokehouse, Black Bean Deli, Otto’s High Dive, Maxine’s, Seito Sushi, SoDough Detroit Pizza and Stasio’s Italian Deli
Local retail brands to join the airport lineup include Adjectives, The House on Lang, Writer’s Block Bookstore, and Orange Appeal.