A rendering of LGB’s new terminal, which will offer concessions from local businesses. Photo courtesy of Studio One Eleven.

Beginning October 15, the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel will be the site of a six-day job fair, with the aim of filling at least 110 permanent jobs with Long Beach Airport’s concessionaire, The Paradies Shops—the company that filled the airport’s new terminal with outlets for local businesses such as 4th St Vine and Long Beach Clothing Company.

According to Long Beach Airport (LGB), the available jobs are a direct result of the Airport Modernization Program.

“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to benefit the community by connecting people to much needed local jobs,” says LGB Director Mario Rodriguez. “[T]his job fair should attract local candidates from the City of Long Beach, who will make the LGB experience even better.”

Kerry Gerot, LGB’s public affairs officer, has high praise for Atlanta-based The Paradies Shops, which operates over 500 retailing and dining establishments in hotels and airports throughout North America. The Paradies Shops has been named both “Best Airport Retailer” and “Concessionaire with Highest Regard for Customer Service” for over 15 years running by Airport Revenue News.

“They’re a very good company,” Gerot says. “They were awarded the [LGB] contract because of their presentation, and the fact that they went out and did licensing agreements with all local vendors for the concessions.”

Those licensing agreements mean LGB will have a George’s Greek Cafe, McKenna’s on the Fly (instead of McKenna’s on the Bay—get it?), and a 4th Street Vine, even though the actual employer will be The Paradies Shops.

Gerot also praises The Paradies Shops as an employer, noting that employees are eligible for benefits by averaging just 25 work hours per week.

Gerot she says that although there is no official policy giving hiring preference to Long Beach residents, LGB is working with a local recruiter, as well as the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network, in the hopes of facilitating as much local benefit as possible.

“It’s Long Beach Airport,” says Gerot, “so of course we’d like to see Long Beach residents get these jobs.”

The Long Beach Airport Concessions Job Fair will take place from 9AM to 6PM October 15 through 20 at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel (4700 Airport Plaza Dr.). Available jobs include: bartenders, servers, greeters, baristas, counter helpers, dishwashers, prep cooks, line cooks, and sales associates. Jobseekers should be prepared for on-the-spot interviews and are encouraged to dress professionally and bring resumes. New-hires may need to start as early as the middle of November.