The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey celebrated the opening of J&P Runway Café, a local minority- and woman-owned business (MWBE) and on-airport employee cafeteria inside Building 14 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. J&P Runway Café is led by successful local Queens restaurateurs Annette Runcie, owner of Pa-Nash Restaurant in Rosedale, and Michael Duncan, owner of Jamaica Breeze Restaurant in Laurelton. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton was joined by key stakeholders within PANYNJ, JFK Redevelopment and the community.
“J&P Runway Café is a tremendous, new asset to the JFK community. We are proud to be partnering with this outstanding, local minority- and woman-owned business venture to bring a high-quality food option with an international flair to the JFK workforce,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “The Port Authority is completely committed to ensuring the economic benefits of its redevelopment projects accrue to the Queens communities surrounding the airport.”
“We are excited about this opportunity and what it will mean for the Southeast Queens community and look forward to a strong and long-lasting relationship with the Port Authority,” said Annette Runcie and Michael Duncan, partners of the J&P Runway Café.
The new cafeteria in Building 14 is open Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It is expected to serve over 700 employees and visitors per week. The newly renovated space is over 5,000 square feet, providing ample room for distancing, and offers indoor and outdoor seating. The cafeteria was built to ensure safe dining conditions for airport employees during COVID-19.
J&P Runway Café was chosen through a competitive selection process. The selection committee noted that J&P Runway Café operators Runcie and Duncan own and operate several successful restaurants and businesses independently in Southeast Queens. Their proposed joint venture was the most qualified to execute this project. The contract issued is for five years with an option to renew for an additional five years.
The operators have committed to include local vendors as a part of this opportunity. Contact JFKRedevelopment@panynj.gov for additional information on job hiring opportunities.
