The San Antonio airport’s newest store opened in Terminal B on Friday morning with a two-man jazz band playing the U.S. Armed Forces Medley and three friendly service dogs greeting travelers.
Military City USA is the latest retail offering by Paradies Lagardère at the San Antonio International Airport, a shop labeled with the city’s trademarked nickname reflecting its concentration of active military installations and veterans.
In the store, travelers can pick up an Air Force T-shirt, Navy socks and even Military City USA licensed sweatshirts to go with their Texas souvenirs, bottled beverages and snacks.
Service members and veterans are eligible for a 15% discount on all purchases.
“This space reflects the sense of place and the connection of our community that we have with those who serve,” said Director of Airports Jesus Saenz, who then asked for a round of applause for service members. “It’s so especially meaningful to us to have a store that honors the identity and celebrates our city’s military heritage.”
Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle said many cities would like to call themselves Military City USA and the city receives plenty of requests to license the trademark.
“The only thing we ask of them when they do that is that they make a donation to a veteran serving organization,” he said. “So it’s sort of a circular benefit in our community.”
San Antonio City Attorney Andy Segovia speaks at the grand opening of Military City USA at the San Antonio International Airport on March 13, 2026. Credit: Shari Biediger / San Antonio Report
Military City USA is open in an enlarged retail space formerly occupied by the San Antonio Express-News store.
Directly across the corridor from Military City USA, crews are putting the finishing touches on a Southerleigh restaurant, located in the space formerly occupied by Rosario’s, and the boutique Feliz Modern, which is expected to open in mid-April.
The store’s opening follows last year’s announcement from the Transportation Safety Administration stating a dedicated lane had opened for uniformed service members at the San Antonio airport’s security checkpoint.
The lane for expedited screening is also open to Gold Star families, people who have lost a loved one in military service.
The agency also made TSA PreCheck free for Gold Star family members and introduced a $25 discount on TSA PreCheck for spouses of military and uniformed service members.
In November, the airport announced it would allow disabled veterans parking privileges that include complimentary parking for up to 30 days in the economy lots, a 50% discount for long-term garage parking and 25% off for short-term garage parking.
Parking for veterans who earned a Purple Heart and or were a Prisoner of War (POW) is complimentary. Veterans must be enrolled to access the benefit.
Check out kiosks at the San Antonio International Airports new Military City USA store on March 13, 2026. Credit: Shari Biediger / San Antonio Report
Army Reservist James St. Clair was killing time before his flight Friday morning, after having just finished a week of training at a local military installation, when he strolled into the store. “Just to browse, see what it was all about,” he said. “I think it’s pretty interesting. The sign is what attracted me over here.”
The Military City USA store is a welcome addition to the airport, said USO Center Operations Specialist Mario Ayapan, since the center does not sell items that service members might need.
The United Service Organizations, USO, provides a lounge area and light refreshments to almost 80,000 service members traveling through the airport every year. When a new terminal opens at the airport in 2028, an additional USO center will be added to the airport.
In the works for many months, the store’s opening comes in the early weeks of Operation Epic Fury, a combat military operation in the Middle East.
Because the ribbon-cutting on Friday also coincided with National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, the nonprofit Paws for Purple Hearts appeared at the event with several ambassadors and service dogs. The organization works to improve the lives of veterans with mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions by matching them with quality service dogs and canine assisted therapy.
Other concession offerings being introduced at the San Antonio airport include a Univision-branded store that opened in Terminal A in November. Confluence Market will soon debut in the airport’s new ground load facility, which is scheduled to open on March 27.