Wisevoter
Des Moines

Berk & Chester's Closes at Des Moines Airport

The restaurant shuttered its airport location to clear the way for ongoing terminal construction projects.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Wide shot of an airport terminal building exterior with construction equipment parked on the tarmac under a cloudy sky.
Berk & Chester's closed its Des Moines International Airport location on October 16 to accommodate the ongoing Lift DSM infrastructure project. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you feel airport renovations in your area ultimately provide enough benefit to justify service disruptions?

Berk & Chester's officially closed its doors at the Des Moines International Airport on October 16, 2026. The closure is part of the broader $550 million to $600 million Lift DSM Project aimed at modernizing the facility.

Why it matters

The restaurant's departure is a necessary step to facilitate the demolition of the existing 75-year-old terminal building. This demolition is required to make room for the completion of a modernized airport infrastructure capable of supporting 4 million to 5 million annual travelers.

The Lift DSM Project includes a new centralized security checkpoint featuring eight lanes and a baggage system with 10 times the current capacity. These updates support the goal of handling 4 million to 5 million travelers annually.

The players

Berk & Chester's

This dining establishment operated at the Des Moines International Airport for nine years before closing its doors.

Lift DSM Project

This is a massive infrastructure transformation program designed to replace the airport's aging facilities with a modern terminal.

The details

The closure of the restaurant, which had operated at the airport since September 2017, allows the site to be prepared for the demolition of the current terminal. Once the old structure is removed, the airport will move forward with a full infrastructure overhaul that will eventually feature a 35-foot-tall glass wall in the new ticketing lobby.

Timeline

  1. September 2017: Berk & Chester's opened at the airport.

  2. October 16, 2026: Berk & Chester's closed its location.

  3. January 2027: New terminal gates and areas are set to open.

  4. 2027: Roadwork on the terminal roadway will occur throughout the year.

  5. 2030: The full airport project is slated for completion.

Market Landscape

The airport is undergoing a significant transition from a legacy 75-year-old building to a modern facility designed to compete for higher passenger volumes. This shift mirrors broader trends in regional hub infrastructure where aging assets are being replaced to accommodate sustained growth.

Travelers should prepare for ongoing changes to the terminal layout as construction progresses through 2027. While some dining options are being removed, the airport is planning future additions to replace current amenities.

The takeaway

The closure of long-standing tenants is a standard feature of major airport infrastructure projects as facilities transition to new footprints. Travelers can expect significant changes to airport services until the full project reaches completion in 2030.

What happens next

The initial phase of the new terminal, including six new gates and main terminal areas, is scheduled to open in January 2027.

Further reading

For more updates on local business changes, visit Des Moines Openings & Closings.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.

Live Poll

Do you feel airport renovations in your area ultimately provide enough benefit to justify service disruptions?