Bud & Marilyn’s takes home title of “2024 Merchant of the Year”

13.05.2024 11:40

PHILADELPHIA – The airport’s concessions program, MarketPlace PHL, recently rolled out the red carpet for the fabulous PHL Food & Shops community at its annual Merchant of the Year awards program, where Bud & Marilyn’s took home the coveted title of “2024 Merchant of the Year.”

The much-loved PHL restaurant earned the highest honor at this year’s Merchant of the Year celebration in recognition of its commitment to providing passengers with exceptional dining experiences marked by delicious dishes and impeccable hospitality.

PHL’s very own Bud & Marilyn’s location, operated by veteran restaurateur Hakan Ilhan, landed in Terminal C back in 2019, thanks to the massive success of the restaurant’s flagship location in Philly’s Midtown Village.

Spearheaded by Chef Marcie Turney and business partner Valerie Safran (the same duo behind many of Philly’s favorite eateries, such as Barbuzzo, Lolita and Little Nonna’s), Bud & Marilyn’s is a celebration of mid-century American cuisine that serves up elevated stylings of classic comfort food dishes, including crispy cheese curds (a PHL favorite), chicken and waffles (a PHL exclusive!), and many, many more.

Multiple awards were presented to other PHL merchants throughout the evening by Clarence LeJeune, Operating Partner of MarketPlace PHL, and Mel Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL.

“Kudos to Bud & Marilyn’s and all our exceptional merchants and team members that comprise the PHL Food & Shops family,” said Hannah, Vice President and General Manager of MarketPlace PHL. “Even after 25 years of our program’s operation, the bar continues to be raised year after year.”

“Congratulations to Bud & Marilyn’s and to all this year’s winners for the exceptional experiences that you continue to provide to passengers at PHL,” said Kate Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer at PHL. “We’re focused on working with the team at MarketPlace PHL to continue elevating the customer journey at the airport with a range of local and diverse shopping and dining options delivered with outstanding service.”

A select group of PHL Food & Shops locations, managers and staff were celebrated with awards and recognition over the course of the celebration. A full list of winners from the 2024 Merchant of the Year celebration appears below.

Outstanding Quick-Service Restaurant of the Year: Gachi Sushi & Noodles (Terminal E)
Outstanding Full-Service Restaurant of the Year: Chickie’s & Pete’s (Terminal D)
Outstanding Specialty Retail of the Year: InMotion Entertainment (B/C Connector)
Sustainability Award: OTG
Outstanding Guest Experience: Hudson News (Terminal D)
Manager of the Year: Lauren Rago (Hudson)
MarketPlace PHL Achievement Awards: Esther Arulampalam (Executive Assistant), Dana Pyle (Marketing and Guest Experience Manager)
Merchant of the Year: Bud & Marilyn’s