AIRCO's 'Fuel Store' Showcases How CO2 Can Power The Future Of Travel

NEW YORK CITY — A new immersive concept store in NoHo aims to show New Yorkers a glimpse into the future — one where CO2 powers how we travel from motocross bikes and jets to potentially spaceships.

The Fuel Store by AIRCO, a Brooklyn-based energy company, looks to highlight the technology behind some of the company's creations and also educate people on what CO2 fuel can actually deliver, according to cofounder and CEO Gregory Constantine.

AIRCO uses CO2 as raw material and combines it with hydrogen through a process that runs on renewable energy to create sustainable fuel, according to AIRCO.

The store, located at 55 Great Jones St., showcases the company's recent work with the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force and NASA. It will be open to the public from April 30 to May 3.

Modelled after a futuristic Mars-like gas station, there is a chrome AIRCO branded futuristic gas pumps in the center of the store with a motocross bike attached to one pump — alluding to how the company's fuel can be used to power land vehicles.

"The pieces you see here are reflective of our work,"Constantine told Patch.

"Over the next few days, we're going to bring people in and show them how we envision the future — we believe it's a positive future — and there are technologies that exist that can showcase where it's headed in a fuel perspective."

One side of the store showcases the company's work with the Navy, where it used its sustainable aviation fuel, AIRMADE, to power marine vessels. Life vests, signal flags and dry bags are on display.

Another part of the store focuses on the company's work with the Air Force. In April, AIRCO helped produce the first-ever unmanned flight with the use of AIRMADE.

Vintage Air Force bomber jackets, with AIRCO patches, are on display to commemorate that accomplishment.

The store and all the custom products were designed by Mythology, a New York City-based company, and Tall Poppy.

Constantine and his team also tease what's on the horizon for the company with its space display. Visitors can see a prototype Mars helmet and a space suit. There is also a bacon, egg, and cheese flavored space food.

AIRCO is hoping to one day produce a fuel made from CO2 up on Mars.

Constantine said AIRCO (previously called Air Company) has changed a lot since it was founded in 2017, when it first made waves turning captured CO2 into vodka.

"The evolution has been incredible, we've built the business to try to have the most amount of impact and inspire people," the cofounder said. "To be where we are at today, which moving on from consumer products to these world-changing industrial products — it's a testament to our team."

The products featured will not be available for purchase at the store, but instead can be purchased via auction online after the store closes. The items auctioned off will help fund AIRCO’s research and other projects.

Constantine hopes the store's four-day operation will give him the chance to educate people on the science behind what they do.

"It's interesting because fuel isn't the most tangible thing for people to get their head around, so when you have a physical space and products to do the storytelling for you, it's an awesome way to educate people," he said.

"The future is bright [for us], there are a lot more ideas coming — no idea is too small, that's for sure."

Visitors can purchase AIRCO merch like T-shirts, socks, and hats, among other items at the store.