Celebrating the 1-Year Anniversary of The Neighborgoods DCA Airport Store Opening

We are celebrating our one-year anniversary of our Neighborgoods DC gift shop at Reagan National Airport.

I can't believe it's been a year since we opened The Neighborgoods DC airport store! When I describe what the store is like to people, I often say this airport store is not your typical souvenir gift shop. It features a wide selection of locally made gifts and goods from talented makers across the DC-metro region and beyond—something I was especially passionate about incorporating into the airport shopping experience. I wanted airport goers to have a convenient way to pick up a last-minute gift enroute to their destination while being able to shop local and discover small businesses right here in the DMV.

To bring this local airport gift shop to life, we partnered with Marshall Retail Group (MRG) under the WH Smith company, a leading retailer in the US and global airport marketplace. I am so honored to have been chosen to partner with them for this awesome, and unexpected opportunity.

 

This store was years in the making—MRG first reached out in 2019 about a potential partnership. I had plenty of time to think it over during the pandemic, and in the years that followed, I joined them for a couple airport pitch opportunities. Eventually, we won the RFP for our DCA location in the Winter of 2022. Over the next year and a half, the permanent store was under construction while we operated from a temporary kiosk.

 

Our temporary kiosk was up from Fall 2023 through Spring 2024 while the store was being built behind it.

Behind the scenes of the kiosk where the store was being built.

 

We worked with the MRG team to help curate the look of the store as well as what products were going to be offered. Then it was crunch time when we all had to hustle to get the store set up in a few days before opening on May 3, 2024. Click here before a little behind the scenes footage of our set up.

 Our Neighborgoods team jumped in to help out our partners, MRG, unbox all the goods and set up the store.

 

 

You can find our colorful, foodie-themed gift store once you pass the security gates in Terminal 2

When strolling down the National Hall after security, head toward the C Gates and you can find us nestled right next door to the LEGO store and across from Legal Seafood. Check out the map below for reference.

Our goal is to offer a unique airport shopping experience from the typical souvenir gift shop, providing you with great gift options - whether you forgot a thank-you gift for your friend hosting you on on your trip, or you want a fun, local gift to bring home from DC.

In addition to our Neighborgoods products, we curated a selection of local goods from our maker friends in the DC-metro area. You’ll be able to find local favorites like Naked Decor DC-themed potholders and coasters, Terratorie neighborhood map cards, Bailiwick DC t-shirts, Oh Bessie kid's Ts, Right Place Studio etched glassware and coloring book, Wick + Paper DC candles and mugs, Tiny Hooray stationery, Lost Sock Coffee beans, Chouquette Chocolates, and a whole lot more.

We also rounded out the gift section with some not-so-local products from makers across the nation like Blue Q sassy oven mitts, Humdrum bookmarks, Seltzer Goods pouches, and Yellow Owl socks and jewelry, just to name a few.So, be sure to stop by on your next trip through DCA and pick up some cute, thoughtful gifts for your friends and family (or yourself), and help support small businesses. Our selection of products will always be changing as we discover new goods to keep your days bright and full of smiles.