Leaders from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 4 operator JFKIAT recently gathered to celebrate the opening of two new airport outposts of New York brands. The new concepts, which will be operated in partnership with HMSHost (Avolta), include Brooklyn Tea & Market, a Black-owned, Brooklyn-based tea cafe; and Villa Russo Café, the longstanding family-owned Italian restaurant located less than four miles from JFK. Villa Russo Café is a recent graduate of the airport’s Institute of Concessions training program, an intensive course designed to prepare independent businesses for airport operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome small local businesses to JFK in our effort to make the airport truly feel like a mirror of the region it serves,” said Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole. “New York and New Jersey are known around the world for distinct flavors and hospitality thanks to our region’s diversity, and we want air travelers to be able to get a sample of that upon arrival, for the duration of a layover, or as the last taste of an unforgettable trip to our region. We look forward to more local businesses joining our airport family as a new JFK takes shape throughout 2026.”
“It is extremely gratifying to see local businesses expand, particularly ones that are part of the DNA of the community served by JFK,” added Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. “As a graduate of our Institute of Concessions, Villa Russo is now more than an Italian-American business in Queens. It now represents a taste of New York City to millions of air travelers who travel through Terminal 4 each year, as well as serve as an example of how a neighborhood asset like our airport can help local small business owners thrive.”
“We’re thrilled and honored to bring Brooklyn Tea & Market and Villa Russo Café to JFK Terminal 4,” said Anthony Alessi, vice president of business development at HMSHost. “Both local family‑owned favorites capture the flavor, traditions, and spirit that define the JFK community. Travelers can now enjoy an authentic taste of local culture from businesses that have long been part of the city’s fabric.”
“Since 1954, my family’s business has been a huge part of the vibrant Queens community, hiring from its diverse workforce and leaving our culinary mark on residents,” said George Russo, the second-generation owner of Villa Russo. “As we enter a global market at JFK T4, we are eager to offer an international audience our local and authentic Italian-American menu. We can hardly wait to deliver our elevated food and service to the fast-paced travelers of T4, as we’ll also invite them to our historic Queens location during their travels to NYC. To think that my father and uncle followed their dreams by opening a small pizzeria in Queens, now to their next generation operating at one of the country’s busiest air terminals is a moving belief in the reality of the American dream.”
“Brooklyn Tea, in partnership with JFKIAT and HMSHost, will become the first Black-owned beverage brand in any airport in the country, and we are honored to be a part of this history and represent what’s possible when diverse businesses are given the opportunity to lead,” added Jamila and Alfonso Wright, the husband-and-wife co-founders of Brooklyn Tea. “Working together with JFKIAT and HMSHost to prioritize the importance of diverse voices and businesses has been an incredible experience, and we look forward to what the future has in store.”
“The openings of Brooklyn Tea & Market and Villa Russo Café reflect our commitment to delivering an authentic New York City experience at Terminal 4 while supporting small businesses and celebrating diverse communities,” said JFKIAT CEO Roel Huinink. “These new concepts bring exceptional hospitality and distinctive offerings to our terminal, creating memorable experiences for travelers and highlighting the city’s rich culture. We look forward to seeing passengers enjoy the unique experiences these businesses bring, offering them a genuine taste of the city even while in transit.”
