The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, have announced the opening of two new local businesses in Terminal 4. Villa Russo Café and Brooklyn Tea & Market are now offering food and beverages that reflect the diverse culinary landscape of New York City.
Villa Russo Café is a Queens-based business that graduated from the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions program, which aims to increase participation by local and diverse businesses in airport concessions. The café features Italian-inspired grab-and-go items based on family recipes. George Russo, second-generation owner, participated in the community development program as part of JFK’s redevelopment efforts.
“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. “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 & Market is both JFK’s first tea-focused retail concept and the first Black-owned tea brand to operate in any airport nationwide. Founded by Jamila and Alfonso Wright, Brooklyn Tea brings Caribbean heritage into its offerings with 11 signature teas curated for Terminal 4.
“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,” said Jamila and Alfonso Wright. “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.”
These openings result from joint-venture partnerships between HMSHost—Terminal 4’s main concessions operator—and selected local businesses following a competitive selection process aimed at providing travelers with authentic New York experiences.
“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,” said 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.”
Roel Huinink, chief executive officer at JFKIAT added: “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. 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.”
Anthony Alessi from HMSHost commented: “We’re thrilled and honored to bring Brooklyn Tea & Market and Villa Russo Café to JFK Terminal 4. Both local family‑owned favorites capture flavor traditions spirit that define community Travelers can now enjoy authentic taste culture from long-standing city fabric.”
The addition marks just one step among broader redevelopment efforts underway at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). According to information provided by The Port Authority, these investments support regional economic vitality through improvements across key transportation facilities such as airports including JFK itself.
JFKIAT operates Terminal 4 under private management—serving over 27 million passengers annually—and runs programs like its street market initiative enabling area non-profits educational institutions participate within terminal operations.
Further expansion projects include major investments across several terminals led by public-private partnerships between The Port Authority—which funds construction mainly through its own revenues—and private partners leveraging billions toward modernization efforts across about 1,500 square miles spanning both states.
The seven additional equity partners recently joined this initiative: Kismet Cocktails Inc., Fresco’s Cantina (Queens), Sugar Hill Creamery (Harlem), Tamalito Inc., Kintaro Foods LLC (Manhattan), Neat Rules Hospitality Group LLC (Brooklyn), Corlis Stone-Littles LLC (Texas).
The Port Authority continues overseeing critical infrastructure such as John F. Kennedy International Airport along with other major transportation hubs throughout New York-New Jersey metropolitan area with goals focused on efficient movement people goods.
