Airport Restaurant Closes for Terminal Expansion
The departure of Berk & Chester's marks a milestone in the multi-year infrastructure overhaul at Des Moines International.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Berk & Chester's closed its Des Moines International Airport location on October 16, 2026, to clear space for a multi-year terminal infrastructure project. This closure facilitates the demolition of the existing 75-year-old facility as part of the broader $600 million Lift DSM Project.
Why it matters
The closure highlights the operational disruption inherent in the ongoing $550 million to $600 million airport overhaul, which requires the removal of legacy structures to accommodate a modernized terminal. Operators in the airport concessions space must navigate shifting site availability as the facility transitions to a capacity target of 5 million annual travelers.
The airport upgrade represents a $550 million to $600 million investment, replacing a 75-year-old facility with a new system designed to handle up to 5 million travelers annually. The expansion includes a 10-fold increase in baggage screening capacity and eight new security lanes.
The players
Berk & Chester's
A restaurant operator that maintained a location at Des Moines International Airport for nine years.
River & Grand by Hudson
A travel retail and food service operator scheduled to open a new location within the airport.
The details
The closure of the restaurant, which first opened in September 2017, enables the physical demolition of the terminal building following the opening of the new infrastructure. While Berk & Chester's exits the premises, the airport development will continue with the planned opening of River & Grand by Hudson. The massive reconstruction effort also features a new 2,800-stall parking garage and a centralized security checkpoint.
Timeline
September 2017: Berk & Chester's opened at the airport.
October 16, 2026: Berk & Chester's closed its location.
January 2027: New terminal gates and areas are set to open.
2027: Roadwork on the terminal roadway will occur.
2030: Full airport project completion is expected.
Market Landscape
The restaurant closure marks a critical site-clearance milestone in the ongoing Lift DSM Project. This transition mirrors patterns seen in major airport overhauls where incumbent concessions are displaced by modernized facilities designed to support increased traveler throughput.
Operators in the airport facility should monitor the January 2027 gate opening as a signal for shifting foot traffic and labor requirements. The project timeline indicates that roadway and site access will remain in flux for vendors through at least 2027.
The takeaway
Large-scale infrastructure shifts often require abrupt exits for incumbent businesses that have served locations for nearly a decade. Operators should review their lease exit clauses to prepare for potential demolition-related displacement during airport modernization projects.
What happens next
New terminal gates and main terminal areas are scheduled to open in January 2027, followed by ongoing terminal roadway construction throughout 2027 and project completion by 2030.
Further reading
For more updates on regional commercial shifts, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.
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