Cherry Capital Airport cafe, gift shop set for $1 million renovation

Cherry Capital Airport is planning a roughly $1 million renovation of its cafe and gift shop as the Traverse City airport handles record passenger volumes and prepares for more growth. The project puts a new focus on the spaces travelers see between security, boarding and the terminal exit, where the airport is trying to strengthen both service and revenue.

The Northwest Regional Airport Authority operates Cherry Capital Airport, a public-use airport about two miles south of downtown Traverse City in Grand Traverse County. The authority says its mission is to be a major driver of economic growth in Northern Michigan by providing world-class service to build prosperity, a goal that fits a concessions upgrade aimed at making the terminal feel more polished and competitive for visitors.

Passenger growth gives the renovation added weight. Cherry Capital Airport served 787,114 passengers in 2024, up 12.3% from 700,699 in 2023, then reached 935,816 passengers in 2025, another 19% jump. CNHI said in July 2025 that TVC was on pace to approach 1 million travelers that year, a threshold that makes even a compact cafe and retail area part of the airport’s broader business strategy.

The cafe and shop occupy different sides of the passenger experience. Cherry Country Café serves ticketed travelers inside the TSA security checkpoint, while Cherry Country Gift Shop sits in the public terminal area. The cafe is open daily before the first departure and after the final arrival and offers coffee, beverages, light meals, grab-and-go kiosks and traveler amenities, which makes it one of the few places in the building that can shape the airport’s pace throughout the day.

The renovation also fits a larger pattern of capital spending at TVC. The airport completed a nearly $14 million runway renovation in 2017, including repaving and extending the east-west runway by 115 feet to 7,015 feet. More recently, the airport has moved ahead with its $120 million Gates to the Future terminal addition, a project expected to add five gates and expand passenger facilities.

Airport leaders have also been adjusting the basics that travelers notice first. TVC opened an Economy Lot parking option ahead of a busy spring break season, and its facilities page highlights close-in parking, electronic check-in computers, advanced baggage screening and a weather-resistant canopy entrance. Together, those investments show an airport trying to use concessions, parking and terminal upgrades to keep up with surging traffic while giving visitors a cleaner first look at Traverse City and Northern Michigan.