{"id":2144,"date":"2015-10-07T09:11:54","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T14:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2144"},"modified":"2015-10-07T09:11:54","modified_gmt":"2015-10-07T14:11:54","slug":"army-air-force-exchange-service-unveils-clear-creek-shopping-center-at-fort-hood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2144","title":{"rendered":"Army & Air Force Exchange Service Unveils Clear Creek Shopping Center at Fort Hood"},"content":{"rendered":"

FORT HOOD \u2013 <\/span><\/b>The Army & Air Force Exchange Service <\/span>cut the ribbon<\/span><\/a> on its brand-new <\/span>Clear Creek Shopping Center<\/a> on Oct. 1, bringing a modern shopping experience complete with a strong national brand presence to the Fort Hood community.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis truly is a great place; we as Team Exchange are so proud that we can make this an even greater place,\u201d <\/span>Exchange Director\/Chief Executive Officer Tom Shull<\/span><\/a> told the Fort Hood community before the doors opened on the 270,000-square-foot shopping center. \u201cThis is dedicated to you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"21345916533_f41c305310_z\"<\/a>Col. (P) JP McGee, Fort Hood deputy commander of support, 1st<\/sup> Calvary Division, told the crowd he knew the new shopping center would have a lasting impact on the community.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we gather here today, it is easy to foresee all this PX will mean to Soldiers and their families,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is easy to imagine the countless wonderful memories that will be made here.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Shoppers made their own grand-opening memories, some by arriving at 1 a.m. to be among the first inside the $47 million shopping center. By the time the ribbon was cut, hundreds of Soldiers, military families and retirees were waiting in a line that stretched around the building.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nilsa King, whose husband retired from the Army 20 years ago, was the first shopper in line, arriving more than eight hours ahead of the opening.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been the very first customer anywhere before, so I thought I\u2019d come check it out,\u201d King said. \u201cI\u2019m not looking for anything special, but I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll find something. It\u2019s an exciting day for us.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>crowds<\/span><\/a> delighted Exchange General Manager Paula Gunderson, whose team had worked long and hard to prepare for the big day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Fort Hood community has waited a long time for this,\u201d said Exchange General Manager Paula Gunderson. \u201c2015 is the \u2018Year of the Customer.\u2019 This shopping center is proof of the Exchange\u2019s commitment to taking care of the Fort Hood community and of family serving family.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The shopping center brings the main store, mall and food court under one roof. The main store boasts name-brand \u201cconcept shops,\u201d including Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Bobbi Brown. A special <\/span>BE FIT section<\/span><\/a> is stocked with athletic wear for men and women from name brands such as Under Armour, Nike and Adidas.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The BE FIT section was a hit with Pvt. Damon Fort, a computer\/detection systems repairer with Company B, 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe BE FIT area is really nice\u2014definitely an upgrade from what we\u2019re used to,\u201d Fort said, adding that he was especially impressed by the wide selection of weights and other fitness products.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Military spouse <\/span>Sandra Ramirez<\/span><\/a> shopped on grand-opening day, checking out the Exchange\u2019s selection of name-brand handbags and accessories.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to look for a Coach wallet,\u201d said Ramirez, whose family has been at Fort Hood for three years. \u201cMy husband owes me a wallet for my birthday.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The PowerZone has been amped up with concept shops for latest the Apple, Sony and Bose products. For families, the bright, inviting childrenswear section showcases fashionable kids clothing at prices Mom and Dad can afford: $5, two for $15, $10, $15 and $20.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Shoppers found more national names in the mall, including Great Clips and <\/span>It\u2019Sugar<\/span><\/a>\u2014the first-ever locations for these brands at an Exchange. National brands like MAC cosmetics, Sally Beauty Supply, GameStop and Starbucks are also present, giving the mall a modern look and feel.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Feven Armstrong<\/span><\/a>, whose husband is medically retired from the Army, made the MAC store her first stop.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMAC is my favorite\u2014I\u2019m so glad it\u2019s here,\u201d said Armstrong, noting that she\u2019d drive more than an hour from her home in Killeen, Texas, to the nearest MAC in Austin. \u201cThe entire shopping center is just beautiful. I can\u2019t wait to see the whole thing.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides the main store and mall, military shoppers packed the <\/span>food court<\/span><\/a> as well. Diners have plenty of options to choose from, including Smoothie King, Boston Market and The Den by Denny\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Gunderson, seeing the community enjoy the store, mall and food court was worth the wait.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope the community enjoys this new shopping center, not just today, but for years to come,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Additional grand opening photos can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>— 30 —<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff.\u00a0 To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at <\/span>http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/span><\/a>or follow us on Twitter at <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>###<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Media Notes:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b>For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Julie Mitchell, 214-312-3327 or mitchelljul@aafes.com.<\/span><\/p>\n\t

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