Boochie Bar Added to Gerald R. Ford Airport

The local health-focused café plans to expand from Rockford into the growing Grand Rapids airport terminal.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Boochie Bar Added to Gerald R. Ford Airport

Live Poll

Should airports prioritize local businesses when selecting new restaurant tenants?

Boochie Bar, a health-focused eatery established in 2023, is preparing to open a new location at Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The expansion follows social media confirmation after the airport teased a new vendor arrival.

Why it matters

Securing space in a major transit hub like Gerald R. Ford International Airport signals a significant scale-up for a small-business operator. This move reflects the broader strategy of regional airports to integrate local brands into their upgraded retail and dining concessions.

The airport is currently mid-way through a $600 million Elevate program, following the successful completion of a $135 million Terminal Enhancement Project. These capital expenditures aim to modernize infrastructure and expand the airport’s operational footprint for tenants.

The players

Boochie Bar

A Rockford-based restaurant operator specializing in health-conscious food and beverages.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

A regional transportation hub currently executing a multi-million dollar infrastructure expansion.

Jennifer Makowski

The founder and operator who launched the Boochie Bar concept in 2023.

The details

The airport teased the incoming addition through a social media video, which community users later identified as Boochie Bar. The restaurant, which operates a storefront at 39 Courtland Street in Rockford, features a menu centered on health-conscious fare including acai bowls, smoothies, and wraps.

2023: Jennifer Makowski opened the first Boochie Bar.
October 2026: The airport released a teaser video on social media.

Market Landscape

This move reflects a broader trend of regional airports prioritizing local culinary operators to enhance the passenger experience. The expansion follows the pattern set by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Elevate program to leverage infrastructure growth for commercial diversification.

Operators should monitor how the airport's ongoing $600 million capital program creates new vendor opportunities within high-traffic public facilities. For small businesses, observing the integration of the Rockford-based Boochie Bar provides a benchmark for the scaling requirements of airport-based retail.

The takeaway

Expanding into institutional transit hubs requires balancing operational capacity with the stringent requirements of airport management. Owners should track the progress of the Elevate program as a key indicator for future commercial bidding opportunities at the airport.