Two Maryland small businesses have opened new pop-up stores at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, offering travelers Berries By Quicha gourmet goodies and Diva By Cindy natural hair care products. The new shops are part of the airport’s Launch Pad program, which creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to jumpstart their business in the airport retail environment. Berries By Quicha and Diva By Cindy join existing Launch Pad operators at BWI Marshall Airport, Fashion Spa House and Fran’s Organic Body Care.
“We’re thrilled to see these micro and small retail businesses take off at the airport,” said Ricky Smith, executive director of BWI Marshall Airport. “The Launch Pad program gives local entrepreneurs the opportunity to reach millions of travelers with their unique products. The addition of these small businesses helps keep our concessions program fresh and exciting.”
Founder LaQuicha Brown of Baltimore brings her gourmet chocolate-covered strawberry shop to the airport. Berries by Quicha uses the freshest berries and quality ingredients in each hand-dipped creation. A variety of milk, white and dark chocolate-covered berries are on the menu. They range from “First Class Chocolate” dips like Milk Swizzle and Red Velvet to a “Favorite Takeoff” including Strawberry Shortcake. The pink striped pop-up shop is located in the A/B food court, near Gate A1.
Sequoia Thompson of Baltimore is the proud new franchise owner of Diva By Cindy, a natural hair care line. Founder Cindy Tawiah, from Maryland, built a brand that offers business and franchise opportunities for women and also supports homeless women and survivors of domestic violence. Before the pop-up shop, travelers could pick up their favorite Diva By Cindy products in a vending machine at the airport. With the new shop in the A/B food court, Ms. Thompson is excited to introduce the line to even more travelers.
“Fraport Maryland remains fully committed to the Launch Pad program, offering small business owners an opportunity to participate in BWI’s concessions program,” says Gary Gilliard, vice president of operations for Fraport Maryland, developer and manager of the concessions program at BWI Marshall Airport. “We are pleased to announce two exciting additions to our program and wish both operators tremendous success with their airport shops.”
