HMSHost opens youth-operated concession at Oakland

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The gourmet coffee shop is part of an initiative to help students and young adults develop vocational skills

HMSHost has announced the opening of a new youth-operated gourmet coffee shop called Training Grounds at Oakland International airport’s terminal two. According to the company, the outlet will be run with Youth Employment Partnership (YEP) to help participating local students and young adults aged 14-24 develop professional and vocational skills. HMSHost funded and built the outlet, while the Port of Oakland provided the space and will manage the leases with YEP. A second Training Grounds store will open at the airport’s terminal one in 2008.

YEP executive director Michele Clark said: “Kids have a greater chance of success—and believing they are successful—when they are given responsibility. By putting Training Grounds in the hands of local youth, we are empowering them to learn more, do more, and expect more from themselves."

HMSHost senior vice-president of business development Pat Banducci said: “Oakland International airport is run by a community of people who make it their job to improve the travel experience every day. Training Grounds will give local high school students and young adults a chance to play a greater role in their community, and their first opportunity to learn valuable job skills that will serve them into the future."