EMPOWERING SMALL
LOCAL BUSINESSES TO ASCEND IN AIRPORT RETAIL
Through Ascend ABQ, Mayor Tim Keller is reimagining the Sunport as a platform for homegrown talent, empowering small, local, and minority-owned businesses to take flight in the airport concessions space.
Launched as part of the Sunport’s Dream of Flight initiative, Ascend ABQ is more than a business program, it’s a pathway. It removes long-standing barriers and creates real access to one of the most visible, high-traffic retail environments in the state.
Unlike traditional concession programs, Ascend ABQ was created for entrepreneurs with little or no airport experience. The initiative starts with targeted outreach across the city and state, followed by community-based information sessions and one-on-one interviews.
DESIGN FOR FIRST TIME FLYERS
DESIGN FOR FIRST TIME FLYERS
EQUIPPED FOR SUCCESS
EQUIPPED FOR SUCCESS
Once accepted, participants join an intensive bootcamp designed for the unique world of airport retail. Covering everything from lease terms and compliance to inventory and customer service, the training equips entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed. Before launch, each cohort is celebrated at a “business shower”—a community event with local leaders and media that introduces and announces their new venture at the Sunport.
BUILT BY ALBUQUERQUE, FOR ALBUQUERQUE
BUILT BY ALBUQUERQUE, FOR ALBUQUERQUE
One of the program’s standout features is the custom-designed retail kiosk. Each unit was designed by a local architect and fabricated in-state, blending function and New Mexican artistry into a polished, flexible retail environment. It’s a professional platform that reflects both the identity of the vendor and the culture of the region.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
With nine local businesses now preparing to open at the Sunport, Ascend ABQ is already delivering on its promise. And with each new cohort, the program will continue to highlight what’s possible when a city believes in its entrepreneurs and builds systems that support their growth.
Ascend ABQ isn’t just a concessions program. It’s a gateway to economic inclusion, representation, and community pride.
Eddie Valentin
Blends sports culture and style, crafting rhinestone apparel and accessories that celebrate New Mexico’s vibrant identity. From trademarked designs to partnerships with local teams and events, Eddie Valentin’s brand is about bold self-expression.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
Located in the Great Hall – 2nd Floor
New Mexico Blue Corn
Preserves ancestral culinary traditions, crafting authentic, locally sourced foods that celebrate New Mexico’s Indigenous and Hispanic heritage. Their products connect modern consumers with the deep-rooted agricultural history of the region.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
Located in the Great Hall – 2nd Floor
19 Twelve Clothing Co.
A homegrown apparel brand that celebrates New Mexico pride through bold, artistic designs. Founded by Fred Franco, the company has evolved from farmers’ markets to a thriving retail storefront in Old Town Albuquerque. Each piece reflects authentic New Mexican culture, blending streetwear with local heritage.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
Located next to Gate B3
Worthington Farms
A family-owned farm in Mesilla Park, New Mexico, has been cultivating premium pecans for nearly a decade. Founded by Kristen Worthington, the company delivers fresh, sustainable, farm-to-table products through its growing e-commerce platform, earning loyal customers who value authentic, locally sourced goods.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
Located next to Gate B3
Enchanting Soaps Co.
Founded by Roberta Easter in Placitas, New Mexico, Enchanting Soap Collections carries forward generations of craftsmanship. Inspired by her grandmother’s ingenuity and her mother’s devotion to handmade traditions, Roberta creates soaps and body products with locally sourced, organic, and sustainable ingredients.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
CO-OP Shop located next to Gate A2
Big Head Leather
Run by Patrick Falance and his wife, specializes in handcrafted leather goods that combine traditional techniques with modern design. Each piece is locally made with premium materials, offering travelers durable, high-quality accessories that reflect New Mexico’s rugged craftmanship.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
CO-OP Shop located next to Gate A2
Founded by Juperi Johnson, creates stylish, handcrafted satin hair wraps that combine fashion and function. Designed to protect natural and textured hair, their products celebrate self-expression and cultural pride.
Business Hours: 7am to 6pm
CO-OP Shop located next to Gate A2
Broken Arrow Glass Recycling
Founded by Shelby Kaye Cullen in Cuyamungue, NM, Broken Arrow Glass Recycling transforms discarded glass into functional, artistic, and sustainable home goods. With a focus on community and environmental impact, the business is redefining how glass waste is repurposed.
Business Hours: 7am to 6 pm
CO-OP Shop located next to Gate A2
T. Skies Jewelry
Preserves New Mexico’s cultural artistry through handcrafted Native and Southwestern designs. By sourcing locally, operating an artisan co-op, and supporting students with internships and scholarships, they ensure traditional craftsmanship continues to thrive.
Business Hours: 7 am to 6 pm
Located next to Gate A4
ASCEND ABQ ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Community leaders across a diverse background will serve on the Ascend Advisory Committee, assisting the City of Albuquerque in guiding the strategic goals of this local and statewide small business initiative.
Agnes Noonan
Agnes Noonan
Brooke Jung
Brooke Jung
Marc S. Limmany
Marc S. Limmany
Tashina Silversmith
Tashina Silversmith
Ken Jackson
Ken Jackson
Neal M Piltch
Neal M Piltch
Karla Causey
Karla Causey
John Garcia
John Garcia
Molly Bell
Molly Bell
Taylor Lawrence
Taylor Lawrence
Nalleli Reyes Garcia
Nalleli Reyes Garcia
Mahrinah L. Shije
Mahrinah L. Shije
APPLICATION PROCESS
It’s important to note that this application is primarily for gathering information and does not guarantee a deal for an Ascend ABQ Lease Agreement with the applicant.
We recommend that applicants provide a business plan, colored images or a catalog of their merchandise, and any other relevant information that could aid in evaluating their suitability for the program.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at: AscendABQ@cabq.gov
Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis.
CONTACT US
For questions related to the Ascend ABQ program, please contact:
ascendabq@cabq.gov