Submitted by Phoenix Convention Center & Venues
edited by Marlena Sullivan, ECN
PHOENIX (December 21, 2023) — Visitors to the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues can now look no further than our very own West Building for handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, artisan souvenirs from local Phoenix makers.
Retail Therapy AZ, a gift shop offering work exclusively from local artisans, Aventura Catering, an exclusive brand of Aramark Sports + Entertainment (Aramark; NYSE: ARMK), and the Phoenix Convention Center announced today plans to open a new Retail Therapy AZ storefront inside the Phoenix Convention Center. The shop, located at the Phoenix Convention Center’s West Building facing 2nd Street, is expected to open in early 2024.
“We are excited for Retail Therapy AZ to open at the Phoenix Convention Center,” said acting director of the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues Jerry Harper. “Retail Therapy AZ supports local makers, and we are grateful for their partnership to create a storefront for the thousands of people who come through the Phoenix Convention Center for meetings, events, and conventions each year. We are proud to partner with yet another local business and provide handmade, artisan goods to those looking to take a piece of Phoenix home with them.”
The one-of-a-kind shopping experience is a testament to the mission of Aramark’s Aventura Catering, the convention center’s exclusive food, beverage and retail operations provider, and the Phoenix Convention Center to support local businesses and creators. Retail Therapy AZ marks the third locally owned business to open in the Phoenix Convention Center in partnership with Aramark’s Aventura Catering, joining Huss Brewpub and PRESS Coffee.
“The Phoenix Convention Center is at the center of it all in downtown Phoenix, a premier destination for visitors from around the world,” said Danielle Lazor, Vice President, West Region, at Aramark Sports + Entertainment. “The opportunity to partner with Retail Therapy offers a new and unique shopping experience that reflects the city, its artisans, and the community, adding to the existing range of authentic and diverse offerings for guests.”
Retail Therapy AZ co-owners Erica Jerido and Jacqueline Thomas are thrilled to be opening a downtown Phoenix storefront.
“We began our business in 2021 as a mobile clothing boutique, vending at local pop-up events and we found that we weren’t passionate about the clothing, but really we were excited about all the connections we were making with other local businesses,” Jerido said. “We then started coordinating community markets throughout the Valley, but we had the dream that one day we would have a storefront where all the small businesses we loved could have a permanent space to sell their products.”
The duo’s storefront dream became a reality after 40 local businesses showed interest in partnering. The Phoenix Convention Center location marks the company’s fourth location and will offer products from 80 local businesses and feature space for classes or team building.
“We are so grateful to be able to have this amazing space at the Phoenix Convention Center,” Jerido said. “We’ve definitely realized throughout our journey that we attract people from out of town who want to take something truly local back from Arizona. The Phoenix Convention Center landed perfectly in that realm, we are excited to be able to reach people from all over the world and offer them unique and custom gifts.”
About Retail Therapy AZ
Established in 2021, Retail Therapy AZ is a one stop local supporting local makers throughout Arizona. Within our four locations throughout the valley, we now are the home of 210 small business owners. For more information on Retail Therapy AZ, see their website: https://retailtherapyaz.com/.
About the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues
The award-winning, GBAC STAR™ accredited, Phoenix Convention Center is one of the largest convention venues in the United States. It boasts nearly one million square feet of rentable meeting and event space. For more about the Convention Center and Venues, please see their website: https://www.phoenixconventioncenter.com/.
About Aramark Sports + Entertainment
Aramark Sports + Entertainment serves more than 150 award-winning food and beverage, retail, and facility service programs in premier stadiums, arenas, convention centers, cultural attractions, performance venues, and unique entertainment destinations across North America. The company has received accolades for industry innovations including autonomous markets, dining concepts powered by artificial intelligence, and high-profile events like NBA All-Star and MLB at Field of Dreams. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
