It has been more than 20 years since Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) has sold chewing gum at their retail stores.  Airport Director Bruce Pelly feared that passengers would ruin the terminal’s new furniture by sticking their used piece of Wrigley’s under a chair or table that in 1991 he vowed to support the ban of gum at vendors. What he didn’t realize is that gum is the single best selling item at airport retail stores, probably costing them close to $1 million dollars in revenue during the 20 year span. The obstacle to sell gum has come up numerous times, but airport officials have “always been adamant against it,” says Casandra Davis, PBI spokesperson.

The airport has come to realize that money, as well as the need to keep a good relationship with the public and Paradies Shops, which control all the retail stores in the terminal, have agreed to enter into a new contract which permits the sale of gum. Maintenance staff at PBI will be ready to take action and has stocked up on a gum-freezing chemical that helps with the removal.