Como Park Essentials at MSP: Concourse C Guide

Shop Overview

Como Park Essentials is a classic airport convenience newsstand designed for fast, practical purchases right before you board. Expect a tightly edited mix of grab-and-go snacks, bottled beverages, personal-care basics, and the small “save-the-day” items travelers always forget—think phone cables, earbuds, tissues, and simple travel comfort gear.

The experience here is intentionally quick: easy-to-browse shelves, impulse-friendly checkout, and a selection that skews toward reliable national brands with a few Minnesota-adjacent picks depending on the day. If you’re moving through Concourse C and don’t want to detour to the MSP Mall’s bigger retail lineup, this is the efficient stop for essentials.

What to Buy

• Last-minute flight essentials: travel-size toothpaste, deodorant, wipes/hand sanitizer, lip balm, basic meds (pain relief, allergy), and disposable chargers or charging cables.
• Snacks that travel well: mixed nuts, protein/energy bars, chips, candy, and gum or mints—ideal for tight connections or longer regional hops.
• Hydration and caffeine: bottled water, soft drinks, and ready-to-drink coffee/energy options for early departures.
• Reading and time-passers: magazines and quick reads for the gate area (especially useful when lounge access is limited).
• Local/regional impulse buys: keep an eye out for Minnesota-branded snacks or small souvenirs; MSP has a strong local retail presence overall, and Concourse C shops sometimes stock regional items in limited runs.

Price note: As a convenience newsstand, prices typically reflect airport convenience markups. For true savings on eligible items like liquor, tobacco, and some beauty products, MSP Duty Free locations in Terminal 1 are usually the better value—Como Park Essentials is about speed and necessity rather than discounts.

Location & Hours

Exact location: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), Terminal 1, Concourse C.

Directions: After clearing security in Terminal 1, follow signs toward Concourse C gates. Como Park Essentials sits along the main concourse corridor, making it easy to pop in while walking to your gate rather than backtracking to the MSP Mall.

Security: Concourse retail at MSP is generally post-security (within the secure gate area), so plan to shop after you’ve cleared TSA.

Best times to shop: Quietest tends to be mid-morning and mid-afternoon between banked departures. Peak rush hits early mornings (roughly 6–9 am) and late afternoons/early evenings—if you only need one item, grab it before the gate area crowds build.

Shopping Tips

• Duty-free reminder: This is not a duty-free shop. If you’re connecting internationally and want duty-free pricing, shop at MSP Duty Free in Terminal 1 instead, and confirm your destination’s allowances and liquids rules for carry-on connections.
• Build a “gate kit” quickly: Combine water + a protein snack + gum/mints + travel wipes—an easy four-item bundle that covers most delays.
• Returns/exchanges: Policies vary by operator and product type (especially for consumables). Keep your receipt and ask at checkout if you’re buying electronics accessories or higher-priced items.
• Payment methods: Expect major credit/debit cards and mobile wallets to be accepted; carry a card as backup in case contactless is unavailable.