News

Big changes coming to Base Exchange

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Starting January 2, major renovations will begin at the base exchange.

Those changes will include new dining options and an Army and Air Force Exchange Service-wide rebranding campaign which includes a name change. It will simply be called the 'Exchange,' with a large 'X' displayed above the new name. Completion is slated for early July.

The redesign, which will occur in 12 phases, will split the store into lifestyle centers. It will have a 'V' shaped walkway, where shoppers can browse through fitness, home, active lifestyle and fashion centers.

It will be a center with little shops inside one big store, according to Anthony Ventura, Robins AAFES general manager.

For example, in the fitness area, athletic shoes will merge with sporting goods.

Furniture selections will also be brought to the main store. Currently, furniture is located in another building, which will close due to low foot traffic. Stock will be reduced and moved to the main store to create another lifestyle area, which will include linens and home dining items.

Fashion, a third lifestyle area, will include cosmetics, stationary, electronics, and new computer items. The floor will also be replaced with low-maintenance, polished, concrete flooring. Lighting will also be enhanced in some areas in a more decorative style.

Another change will be the addition of firearms sales geared toward hunting and sports next summer. Those items will be located at the back of the store where customer service is currently positioned. Customer service will move to the front of the store, near the registers.

The redesign will also extend to the front entrance. This area will have a new Hall of Honor, with murals and pillars depicting wars and conflicts.

As for the mall area and food court:
- Dunkin' Donuts is slated to move into the current GNC location in April. GNC will move next to the dry cleaners.
- Subway is scheduled to occupy the space where Cinnabon is in June.
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen will occupy what is now Robin Hood and Baskin-Robbins in June.
- Taco John's, Charley's Grilled Subs and Anthony's Pizza will remain where they are, and all storefronts will receive facelifts as part of the branding campaign.

Tinker Air Force Base's Exchange was the first to undergo the new design in September 2010.

"We are one of the top 10 that will be getting the new branding in AAFES worldwide," said Ventura. Shopping hours and days will remain the same. Much of the work will take place at night. Partitions will be put up as renovations are made.

To help the curious, marketing boards will be placed outside the entrance to allow shoppers to see the renovation plans.