May 3, 2021 - In days gone by, there wasn’t much about an airport experience that was unique. An airport in Albuquerque looked much the same as the airport in Charlotte. These days, however, airports around the world have adopted a passenger experience and culture that mirrors and highlights the uniqueness of the cities in which they are located.
Local products are sold in stores, restaurants you would find around town have set up shop in the airport and art and cultural activities feature local scenery and resident artists from across the creative spectrum, from musicians to painters to sculptors.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is no different. As soon as you arrive in Charlotte and get off your plane or arrive at the security check in, we want you to know you are in Charlotte and we want you to have the opportunity to experience the things that make the Queen City so special.
Art has graced the walls of CLT, and sculpture has adorned Airport property for many years. Queen Charlotte, for whom the city and the Airport is named, has stood watch over CLT for more than a decade. Local pianists have tickled the ivory on the Atrium piano and unique installations connecting life to the airport have been around a long time too. Before the pandemic, anyway.
Then In 2020, the CLT Local campaign was launched to showcase those businesses and products that are born in North and South Carolina. This includes retail products, businesses exclusive to the Carolinas and businesses/concepts that began in the Carolinas and have expanded regionally and or nationally.
CLT Local began as an initiative to support Airport businesses. The program took on new meaning as Airport businesses found themselves struggling during a drop in business tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it will forever be a CLT program that highlights the businesses, products and people that make the Carolinas unique and fun.
So next time you are in the Airport, look for the CLT Local seal, support a local business, grab a souvenir made in the Carolinas or pick up a snack or sweet treat baked right here in Charlotte.
Retail Products Locally Made
Adulah Grits
Big Spoon Roasters
Bruce Julian Heritage Foods
Butterfields
Carolina Kettle Company
Carolina Nut Company
Cloister Honey
Ella B. Candles
FaerryKiss Naturals
Local Brewery Swag
Mount Olive Pickle Co.
NYE Ice-cream
Old School Brand
Postre Caramels
Queen Charlotte Pimento Cheese
Roots and Branches Crackers
Sweet Girl Cookies
Tastebuds Popcorn
Videri Chocolate
Retail Stores that Carry Local Products
Charlotte News & Gifts
Charlotte's Landing
Charlotte Supply Company
News2You
On The Square Gift & News
Queen City News & Gifts
1897 Market
Dining/Drinking
1897 Market
Bad Daddy's Burger
Bojangles'
Broken Spoke Distillery
Brookwood Farms BBQ
Captain Jack’s Tavern – Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
CLT Tap Room
NoDa Brewing Company
Rhino Markey & Deli
Salsarita's Mexican
Temp Kiosk Bar
Uptown Mini Bar
Wicked Weed Brewery
Whisky River
Charlotte Craft Beer
Many restaurants, as well as brew pubs in the Airport, sell local craft beer. Be sure to ask your server or check the menu when you sit down to eat.
Birdsong Brewery
Broken Spoke
Catawba Brewing
Great Wagon Road Distillery
Noda Brewing Company
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB)
Sugar Creek Brewery
Sycamore Brewing
Triple C Brewing Company
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub