12 Vintage Airport Shops That Are Gone Forever
Here's a nostalgic journey through 12 once-beloved airport shops that have since shuttered, each leaving behind a piece of travel history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Once upon a time, airport shops were more than just retail — they were little worlds offering one last sip of culture before boarding. From toy shops and bookstores to observation cafés and airline boutiques, these now-closed spots offered charm that went beyond duty-free deals. As air travel became more globalized and uniform, many of these unique spaces quietly disappeared, taking stories with them.
1. The Encounter Restaurant – LAX, Los Angeles
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Perched like a retro spaceship in the middle of LAX, The Encounter Restaurant was as much a photo op as a dining destination. Opened in 1997 but styled in classic 1960s Googie architecture, it offered sci-fi vibes, spinning booths, and glowing blue cocktails. It closed in 2013 due to structural upgrades, leaving behind a skyline icon that once gave travelers a final taste of quirky California.
2. Hamleys Toy Shop – Heathrow Terminal 3, London
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Once nestled in Heathrow’s Terminal 3, Hamleys offered a dash of British charm and a last-minute way to bribe kids before long flights. The mini store is packed with squeaky toys, magic kits, and dollhouses, giving families a colorful distraction during delays. It closed as part of terminal overhauls that favored tech and luxury over whimsy.
3. Berkeley Books – Logan International, Boston
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For decades, Berkeley Books at Logan Airport was where hurried travelers grabbed a paperback, a newspaper, or just lingered in the scent of ink and paper. It felt more like a corner bookstore than a sterile airport stall. It shut down in the early 2000s as the retail model shifted to digital and mass-market offerings.
4. Tootsies Orchid Lounge – Nashville International Airport
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This tiny outpost of the legendary Nashville honky-tonk gave travelers one last chance to hear live country music before takeoff. With neon lights, cramped stools, and a surprising amount of twang, it brought the soul of Broadway Street airside. Renovations and changing retail strategy led to its quiet closure in 2020.
5. TWA Flight Center Gift Shop – JFK, New York
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Located inside Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA terminal, this gift shop specialized in midcentury aviation memorabilia, from TWA playing cards to stylish pilot wings. The entire terminal felt like a time capsule, and the shop fit right in. After TWA ceased operations and the terminal shuttered in 2001, the shop disappeared too, though the terminal was later reborn as a hotel.
6. CNAC Lounge Gift Kiosk – Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong
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Before Hong Kong’s notorious Kai Tak Airport closed in 1998, the CNAC Lounge had a small kiosk selling flight-themed souvenirs and China National Aviation Corporation paraphernalia. You could buy branded ashtrays, flight tags, and vintage maps from the golden age of East Asian aviation. When Kai Tak shut down, the kiosk vanished along with its heritage.
7. News Travels Fast – O’Hare Terminal 2, Chicago
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This pun-filled bookstore and newsstand was a quiet haven tucked into a corner of Terminal 2. With friendly staff and deep magazine racks, it served up everything from The Economist to local Chicago zines. It was replaced by a more sterile news chain store in the early 2010s during terminal modernization.
8. Observation Deck Cafe – Toronto Pearson Airport, Terminal 1 (Old Terminal)
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In the 1970s and 80s, this cafe offered a panoramic view of the tarmac through large windows, and many remember watching 747s lumber down the runway with a coffee in hand. It was simple, cheap, and filled with both travelers and locals who just loved planes. It disappeared when the old Terminal 1 was demolished in 2004.
9. Flight Deck Sports Bar – Denver Stapleton Airport
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Before Denver International opened in 1995, Stapleton Airport was home to this aviation-themed sports bar where airport workers and travelers mingled. It featured plane murals, old airline seats, and a rotating menu of greasy favorites. When Stapleton closed, the bar went with it, leaving behind decades of blurry layover memories.
10. Hawaiian Traders – Honolulu International Airport
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With hand-carved tiki statues, locally made leis, and kukui nut necklaces, Hawaiian Traders was less of a gift shop and more of a farewell ritual. Many travelers made it their last stop before leaving the islands. It closed during a wave of airport retail revamps that made way for global brands and fewer mom-and-pop stalls.
11. Pan Am Clipper Lounge Boutique – Miami International Airport
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This boutique carried Pan Am-branded travel goods like shoulder bags, navy-blue caps, and vintage posters during the airline’s final days. Nestled beside the Clipper Lounge, it reminded travelers of the age of glamour and uniformed elegance in flying. It vanished with Pan Am’s collapse in 1991, marking the end of an era.
12. The Narita Kimono Shop – Narita Airport, Tokyo (Terminal 1)
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For decades, this small shop sold authentic, folded kimonos and silk robes to tourists wanting a last-minute cultural keepsake. The staff wrapped items with care and even offered quick styling advice for curious travelers. It closed in the early 2010s as airport retail turned toward fast fashion and electronics.