Mercantile DEN

Elsy Studios was proud to bring the new outpost of Mercantile Dining & Provisions to life in 2022. The new location at Denver International Airport’s Concourse A aimed to replicate the vibe at the popular Denver Union Station location for travelers, complete with both grab-and-go options, high-top dining and a more formal dine-in area.

Our team was involved from the early stages of this multi-year project, which included envisioning multiple operator concepts before Mercantile was selected as the final choice for the airport restaurant. Once construction resumed, our involvement encompassed programming and space planning as well as kitchen design coordination – all while navigating the complex Denver Airport Design Review process. The project’s scope included the main dining room, located in the heart of Concourse A, along with a commissary kitchen and storage area positioned below the dining space.

The layout required careful planning to accommodate high foot-traffic, seating, luggage storage as well as a fully functional open kitchen, allowing diners to watch the chefs in action. To ensure the Mercantile brand was felt throughout the space, key design elements such as windows reminiscent of the original Union Station location.

Code and feasibility studies for this project were particularly intricate due to the complexity of integrating a commercial kitchen into the airport, with stringent fire and smoke requirements, queue line management and existing infrastructure. However, despite challenges and pandemic-related delays, Elsy’s collaborative efforts with the Chef, bar staff, and contractors ensured the project’s success, and the end result is a dining space that offers travelers an authentic Denver experience.