Philadelphia — May 18, 2026 — This year, the PHL Food & Shops family traded ballroom formality for bowling lanes, hosting its annual Merchant of the Year staff gala at Brooklyn Bowl in Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood.
The evening honored the individuals and brands that have helped make 2026 another standout year at Philadelphia International Airport.
The celebration’s namesake honor, the 2026 Merchant of the Year award, was given to Chickie’s & Pete’s, recognizing the iconic Philly brand’s continued excellence in delivering a high-energy passenger experience and some “Founded in Philly” flair to those passing through the airport.
“Let the good times roll” wasn’t just a theme for the night — it reflects the momentum across PHL Food & Shops as the program continues to expand offerings, elevate service and prepare for Philadelphia’s historic 2026 milestones.
Additionally, a heartfelt moment of the evening honored Steve Rosen, Controller for MarketPlace PHL, who is retiring after over 25 years of service. Rosen was recognized for his decades of dedication and leadership and his lasting impact on the organization, the PHL Food & Shops program as a whole and its wonderful people and passengers.
The following is a list of honorees from the 2026 celebration:
Merchant of the Year
Chickie’s & Pete’s
Outstanding Full-Service Restaurant of the Year
Independence Prime
Outstanding Quick-Service Restaurant of the Year
Auntie Anne’s
Outstanding Specialty Retailer of the Year
Desigual
Outstanding Guest Experience
OTG Management
Manager of the Year (Multiple Honorees)
Dave Henderson
New York Ice Cream Inc.
Shamus O’Connor
Airport Dimensions
Lauren Rago
Hudson Group by Avolta
MarketPlace PHL Achievement Award (Multiple Honorees)
Celines Ortiz
Housekeeping Manager
MarketPlace PHL
Charlotte Harris
Assistant Housekeeping Manager
MarketPlace PHL
Above & Beyond
Paul Porter
Chickie’s & Pete’s
“Our merchants continue to raise the bar in every way,” said Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL. “This year, the celebration reflected our community’s unique personality and energy. Brooklyn Bowl was the perfect setting to say thank you in a way that was fun, genuine and most certainly well earned.”
For more information, please visit PHLfoodandshops.com.
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ABOUT MARKETPLACE PHL
MarketPlace PHL, LLC, is the private partner with the City of Philadelphia in the management of the food and retail programs throughout Philadelphia International Airport. The award-winning program offers more than 170 shops, restaurants and services. The MarketPlace PHL portfolio features local Philly favorites, as well as regional and national brands. MarketPlace PHL, LLC, is a partnership between MarketPlace Development, a Boston-based airport retail development firm, and LeJeune & Associates, a Philadelphia-based retail development, management and consulting firm. For more information, visit PHLfoodandshops.com.