Columbus Airport’s retail mix was deliberately built around local flavor rather than generic duty-free-style chains. The result: stores selling Ohio-made goods, Ohio State gear, and travel essentials, spread across the pre-security lobby and the three concourses. Like the restaurants, most shops close at “last departure,” so shopping is best done before the evening wind-down.
Shopping Before Security
The pre-security shopping is centered on the ticketing lobby:
- Astor Park Exchange – The flagship local store, located pre-security at the center of the ticketing lobby. This hybrid concept sells travel essentials, local gourmet and artisan products, Ohio State sports merchandise, and Ohio-themed gifts — plus a hat wall with a custom embroidery machine, so you can personalize a cap before your flight. Self-checkout available.
- Broad & High Essentials – A wide selection of travel essentials, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs with a local flair, also with self-checkout for a fast exit.
If you’re not flying but want to pick up a Columbus gift, Astor Park Exchange is the store to visit — it’s the only real retail option outside security.
Shopping by Concourse (Post-Security)
- Columbus Marketplace (Concourses B and C) – The airport’s main newsstand-and-more. Reported hours: Concourse B 4:15 a.m.–last departure, Concourse C 4:30 a.m.–last departure. Magazines, newspapers, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, with self-checkout.
- CMH Supply Co. – Newspapers, magazines, snacks, travel essentials, apparel, and Columbus-themed souvenirs. The best all-rounder for “I forgot something” trips.
- Scioto Mercantile – Travel essentials, snacks, and souvenirs with a local flair, plus self-checkout.
- SOUND (vending) – An electronics vending concept selling chargers, adapters, headphones, earbuds, and other devices — the answer when your cable breaks mid-trip. Useful alongside our Wi-Fi and charging guide.
- Vending throughout the airport – Every concourse and both pre-security levels have vending machines: Jeni’s Ice Cream (single-serve cups), Starbucks bottled coffees and juices, snacks, and bottled water. When the shops are closed, the machines aren’t.
Best Souvenirs & Travel Gifts at CMH
- Ohio State apparel and gifts – Astor Park Exchange’s OSU merchandise selection is the deepest in the airport, and the custom embroidery hat wall makes a personalized souvenir you can’t get elsewhere.
- Locally made food gifts – Local gourmet and artisan products at Astor Park Exchange; Jeni’s ice cream cups from vending machines travel fine as a treat (eat before security or enjoy at your gate).
- Columbus-themed apparel – CMH Supply Co., Broad & High Essentials, and Scioto Mercantile all carry Columbus and Ohio-themed clothing and souvenirs.
- Last-minute essentials – Forgot a phone charger, toothbrush, or reading material? SOUND and Columbus Marketplace cover the classics.
What Can You Buy Where: Quick Reference
- Books and magazines – Columbus Marketplace, CMH Supply Co.
- Electronics and chargers – SOUND vending machines.
- OSU and Ohio State gear – Astor Park Exchange (best), CMH Supply Co.
- Snacks and drinks – Broad & High Essentials, Columbus Marketplace, vending machines in every concourse.
- Local artisan products – Astor Park Exchange.
Tips for Shopping at CMH
- Shops close at last departure. If you have a late flight, shop right after clearing security rather than at the gate with 10 minutes to spare.
- You’re locked to your concourse. CMH’s concourses are separate airside, so the store selection near your gate is your selection. The CMH airport map can help you plan a route.
- Combine shopping with dining. Concourse B has the densest mix of restaurants and shops if you’re making a deliberate browse — see our CMH restaurant guide for the food side.
- Self-checkout is common at Astor Park Exchange, Broad & High, Columbus Marketplace, and Scioto Mercantile — handy when you’re racing the clock.
Keep planning: CMH lounges guide · CMH family travel guide · Columbus Airport Guide for every CMH guide in one place
Make Your CMH Journey Easier with AirportGo
AirportGo is built for the whole airport journey — before, during, and after your flight. Before you fly, use the trip tasks and packing checklist to get organized. During your trip, search the directory for shops, food, and restrooms by concourse, get step-by-step walking navigation to your gate, check TSA checkpoint times, and set a parking reminder so your spot is saved. After you land, the find-my-car feature walks you back to your vehicle with your saved parking photo and location. It works offline, so a weak airport signal won’t slow you down. The app is available now on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
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