Café Kubal’s relocation at Hancock International Airport is an active example of bad business ­— for the cafe and local businesses in Syracuse.

On Tuesday, a Dunkin Donuts replaced Café Kubal’s kiosk at the airport, which was located directly after the security checkpoint. The local café’s kiosk opened in May last year, after the Airport Authority and the then-airport concessioner reached out to Matt Godard, Café Kubal’s founder, according to a letter he published on the café’s website. He described the cafe’s installation as a “seemingly impossible mission,” because of the short notice provided, but it was up and running with trained employees in 10 days.

Airport officials seemed to have disregarded all the effort Godard and Kubal employees put into the kiosk, as they’ve decided to replace the local company as a result of a new partnership.

The airport entered an agreement with Creative Food Group, a New York City-based company that will be bringing in national chains to the airport, including Jamba Juice, Johnny Rockets and Dunkin Donuts. Godard’s letter noted that the airport made this agreement with Creative Food Group without ever including Café Kubal in the discussion.

While this change helps make Hancock International Airport comparable to larger airports with similar food options, it is detrimental to the city of Syracuse.

Café Kubal provides a piece of Syracuse to many visitors as 80 percent of travelers at the airport pass by the location of the original kiosk beyond the security checkpoint. By replacing Café Kubal with a national chain like Dunkin Donuts, Hancock eliminates the identity of the city that is expressed through local businesses for many first-time visitors.

While Café Kubal will still be at the airport, its presence is reduced to three smaller locations, before security. The cafe loses a prime location immediately after security to a much less desirable location.

Customers are more likely to make their purchases at airports after going through security. With people at the airport typically in a rush to get through checkpoints, they might not stop at one of the new locations, especially for a cup of coffee, considering they can’t bring liquids through security.

Hancock International Airport should place more value in the local economy and identity it can provide to its customers.

Published on April 2, 2014 at 1:00 am