WILLISTON – The new Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) terminal will have a full-service bar and restaurant, grab-and-go snacks and drinks, vending machines plus a gift shop, according to a news release.

The airport concessionaire is Florida-based Oakwells. The firm has nine sites including three in North Dakota. Oakwells owns and operates Trestle Tap House at the Minot International Airport and Red River Valley Tap House at the Grand Forks International Airport.

“A lot of these amenities we don’t have at Sloulin Field, so they will make XWA a much more attractive facility for both the airlines and passengers,” said Williston Economic Development Executive Director Shawn Wenko.

Michael Reilly, owner of Oakwells, said they are looking forward to serving the Williston region.

“It’s exciting to be a part of a truly beautiful facility,” said Reilly. “It is truly the welcome mat of the community and we are grateful to be a part of that because many times we are either the first impression or the last impression a traveler has of a community.”

The pub-styled restaurant will be called the Refinery Kitchen and Bar, named after the oil and gas processing plants prevalent in the region. The menu will include breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as a full-service bar. Some of the food items will be hand-pattied burgers, fresh salads and flat bread pizzas. The food and drinks will help travelers unwind after a long day or spend quality time on a layover.

“We will be open seven days a week, 365 days a year, as long as the airport is open,” said Reilly. “We will open one hour before the first scheduled departure and close at the last scheduled departure. Typically, we are open from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., but we will accommodate the local schedule.”

The Refinery will have seating for just over 50 people. The view from the bar will be the airfield.

The firm is currently hiring part-time and full-time associates to work in the following areas: counter help, bartenders and cooks. They have already hired a manager who is undergoing training.

“We are in the process of hiring now so if anyone wants a job we want to talk to them,” said Reilly. “We hired a manager and she is training at our other locations, so when we are ready to open she will be ready to take the lead.”

The Williston Basin International Airport is scheduled to open Oct. 10.