SAF Gift Shop Rental Application  Logo
  • Santa Fe Regional Airport

    Terminal Retail Concession Application
  • The City of Santa Fe invites applications from operators to lease and operate a boutique-style retail concession located post-security in the newly expanded Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) terminal.
     
    The City seeks an operator who will curate a high-quality retail experience that reflects Santa Fe’s cultural identity and artistic heritage, offering travelers distinctive goods, locally inspired products, and other items suited for the airport environment.
     
    The selected operator will be expected to demonstrate experience in retail management, strong merchandising capabilities, and a commitment to showcasing local culture and creativity. Preference will be given to concepts that highlight Santa Fe’s unique character and provide an engaging, memorable experience for visitors.
  • Opportunity Summary
    • Location: Post-security, SAF Terminal
    • Approximate Size: ~190 sq ft
    • Lease Term: 5 years, with two renewal options (subject to performance and approval)
    • Build-Out: Tenant responsible for design, construction, and associated costs (City/airport approval required; ADA/code compliance required)
    • Rent: $392.00 per month (subject to 2.5% annual increases). (final terms subject to negotiation)
    • Concession Fee: Operator to pay 12% concession fee of all gross receipts initiated on-premise(final terms subject to negotiation)
    • Utilities/Trash: Tenant responsible for trash removal and tenant-specific utilities
    • Badging/Security: All staff must pass background checks and obtain airport identification (tenant responsible for fees)
  • Evaluation Criteria

    Written Submission: 70 Available Points | Interview (if held): 30 Available Points

    1. Proposal Scope & Level of Expertise (50 Points)

    • Demonstrated retail or airport operations experience
    • Administrative and financial capacity to perform
    • Alignment with airport environment and security requirements

    2. Value-Added Elements (20 Points)

    • Commitment to local sourcing and engagement with artisans
    • Strength and creativity of branding and merchandising
    • Use of technology to enhance traveler experience

    3. Clarification Interview (30 Points, if conducted)

    Applicants ranked highest based on written submissions may be invited to an interview to clarify their proposal.

    • Team readiness and quality of presentation
  • Application Schedule
    (Subject to Change; U.S. Holidays Considered)

    • Applications Open: October 15, 2025
    • Site Visit & Pre-Proposal Meeting: October 29, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (SAF)
    • Deadline for Questions: November 7, 2025
    • Proposals Due: Dec. 5, 2025, by 3:00 PM MST
    • Evaluation Date: January 13, 2026
    • Interviews (if held): January 21, 2026
    • Clarification Interviews (if needed): January 28, 2026
    • Award Notification (anticipated): February 4, 2026
  • Applicant Information

  • Merchandise Plan
    Applicants should acknowledge that this concession is both a boutique retail shop and a travel convenience store. Proposals should demonstrate a balanced merchandise plan that includes:
    • Travel essentials such as snacks, beverages (where permitted), personal care/toiletries, charging accessories, and reading materials.
    • Locally sourced and Southwestern merchandise that highlights Santa Fe’s cultural identity, artistic heritage, and unique sense of place.
     
    Applicants must describe how they will integrate these two functions, and specify the percentage of total stock dedicated to travel essentials versus locally focused merchandise.
     
    Please provide a detailed description of the type of merchandise you propose to feature and carry in the concession.
     
    This description should:
    • Identify primary categories of merchandise (e.g., artisan crafts, apparel, travel essentials, food and beverage items, books/media, jewelry, etc.).
    • Provide estimated percentages of total stock by category.
    • Clearly identify the percentage of merchandise that will be locally sourced and/or Santa Fe/New Mexico-focused.
    • Demonstrate how the merchandise mix will reflect Santa Fe/New Mexico’s cultural identity, artistic heritage, and sense of place.
  • Retail Experience
    Applicants must describe their experience in retail operations, with emphasis on boutique or artisan-focused merchandise.
     
    Please include:
    • Number of years in retail operations.
    • Locations of current or past retail businesses.
    • Type of merchandise sold and customer base served.
    • Any relevant experience operating in airports, transportation hubs, or other high-traffic environments (if applicable).
    • Demonstrated success in curating and managing locally inspired or artisan product lines.
  • Administrative and Financial Capacity
    Applicants must demonstrate their ability to successfully manage the business and meet the financial obligations of operating within the Santa Fe Regional Airport. Please describe:
    • Administrative capacity, including staffing, training, and scheduling.
    • Experience with financial reporting and compliance with lease requirements.
    • Ability to finance and complete any required tenant improvements or build-out.
    • Access to sufficient working capital to support start-up and ongoing operations.
    • Proposed Budget and Financial Plan, including:
      • Start-up costs (build-out, equipment, initial inventory).
      • Estimated operating costs (payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, inventory replenishment).
      • Projected revenue and sales forecasts for the first three years.
      • Sources of financing and capital (e.g., equity, loans, grants).
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  • Value Added Elements

  • Staffing & Operations

  • Staffing Plan
    Applicants must provide a staffing plan that ensures high-quality customer service and reflects Santa Fe’s diverse community and international visitor base.
     
    The plan should include:
    • Staffing Levels: Proposed number of employees by role (e.g., manager, sales associates, part-time staff).
    • Languages Spoken: Indicate staff capacity in English, Spanish, and other languages, if applicable, to support diverse travelers.
    • Customer Service Experience: Describe training and prior experience in customer service, particularly in high-traffic or tourism-related settings.
    • Training & Development: Outline training programs for employees in areas such as cultural awareness, point-of-sale systems, merchandising, and traveler assistance.
    • Hiring Practices: Describe approach to recruiting local employees and supporting workforce development in Santa Fe.
  • Accessibility

  • Branding and Merchandising Strategies
    Applicants must outline strategies for branding and merchandising that highlight Santa Fe’s cultural identity and artistic heritage.
     
    Responses should include:
    • Store Branding & Design: Describe how the shop’s overall look and feel (signage, décor, displays, color palette, fixtures, packaging) will reflect Santa Fe’s unique character.
    • Product Presentation: Explain how merchandise will be displayed to emphasize artisan craftsmanship, local creativity, and authenticity.
    • Local Partnerships: Identify plans to source from and collaborate with Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico artists, makers, and producers.
    • Storytelling & Interpretation: Describe how the shop will educate travelers about the cultural significance of products (e.g., signage, artist bios, storytelling cards, rotating features).
    • Customer Experience: Outline approaches to creating a welcoming, memorable retail environment that conveys a sense of place and leaves travelers with a lasting impression of Santa Fe.
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  • Certification & Signature

  • By signing below, I certify that:
    • The information provided in this application is accurate and complete.
    • I understand that the City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to negotiate final terms.
    • I agree to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, as well as Airport/TSA requirements.
    • I acknowledge that the lease terms, evaluation process, and schedule are indicative and subject to change.
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