Despite steadily growing passenger traffic, Des Moines International Airport’s new bars and restaurants have missed their revenue projections by 8 percent in the first few months, airport officials said. 

That said, those businesses have topped last year’s sales. So have the gift shops run by Hudson News, though they also are running below projections, by about 15 percent. 

Airport Executive Director Kevin Foley said the bar and restaurant operators, Aero Service Group, had warned it could take time for people to realize the operations have been updated and improved. It’s common for some of the areas to be jammed at noon, in part because airport employees are using them. The bar operations are far more visible than in the past. 

Foley said Arugula & Rye, which is on Concourse A to the left of security as passengers enter the gate areas, has had the weakest performance.
The grab-and-go operation nearby, which replaced a temporary bar that had strong sales, also has struggled. That restaurant has a food bar that previous operations didn’t, and there are plans to post signs that draw attention to the offerings. 

But Foley and Finance Director Brian Mulcahy said Aero’s operations have been improving lately. Foley said he’s heard only compliments from those who have tried the new eateries. Porter Mill, he noted, is often full at lunch. 

Airport board member Liz Ward said she is fond of the flatbreads at Arugula & Rye. Board member Kerty Levy said she’s confident the restaurants and bars will succeed in the long run.

“They will figure it out,” she said.