{"id":2357,"date":"2016-04-04T11:49:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2357"},"modified":"2016-04-04T11:49:29","modified_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:49:29","slug":"barksdale-exchange-unveils-new-look-contemporary-shopping-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=2357","title":{"rendered":"Barksdale Exchange Unveils New Look, Contemporary Shopping Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE \u2013 <\/b>The Army & Air Force Exchange Service cut the ribbon<\/a> on its revamped main store at Barksdale Air Force Base, bringing a modern shopping experience complete with a strong national brand presence to Airmen, families and retirees in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Exchange is family serving family\u2014we are all in to support you,\u201d Exchange Director\/CEO Tom Shull told the Barksdale community during the grand reopening ceremony March 31. \u201cWe are grateful to be part of your community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DSC_4833\"<\/a>The $8.8 million face-lift, which took roughly nine months to complete, includes polished concrete floors, fresh paint, updated signing and a customer-friendly layout featuring name-brand merchandise in the main store. That contemporary look is carried into the mall and food court, which welcomed a Subway<\/a> as part of the renovation.<\/p>\n

The Exchange contributed $6.6 million toward the renovation, while the 2d Bomb Wing allocated $2.2 million, which helped pay for the roof, pharmacy expansion, moving the post office to the front of the store and an updated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a prime example of what partnership can mean and a wonderful example of what I like to call integrated readiness,\u201d Shull said. \u201cWe want to be a partner in family readiness. As long as there are families to take care of, we will always want to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Col. Brandon Parker, 2d Bomb Wing vice commander, lauded the Exchange\u2019s strong relationship with the installation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Exchange has served for 120 years,\u201d he said, noting the organization\u2019s long history. \u201cWhat you see here today carries on that tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the store, shoppers are treated to a strong national brand presence, including a BE FIT section<\/a> with athletic wear and footwear for men and women from name brands such as Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, Brooks and Asics.<\/p>\n

National brands ensure the 103,640-square-foot main store, which was built 20 years ago and updated in 2004, has a modern look and feel. On grand-opening day, Barksdale shoppers were impressed with the contemporary experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe BE FIT area<\/a> is awesome,\u201d said Senior Master Sgt. Katrina McNutt. \u201cIt looks just like a sporting goods store\u2014it\u2019s remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

In store\u2019s new Chef Shop<\/a>, Senior Airman Mark Clifton and his wife browsed name-brand kitchen goods from Paul Deen, Pioneer Woman, Emeril and Wolfgang Puck.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could go crazy in this section,\u201d Brittany Clifton<\/a> said. \u201cI\u2019m a total foodie\u2014and it\u2019s nice to have so much to choose from.\u201d<\/p>\n

National brands, including Lucky<\/a>, Columbia and Kuhl<\/a>, in the menswear section won her husband over.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think I could find these brands at these prices here,\u201d Airman Clifton said. \u201cNow that I know, I\u2019ll be back to shop more often.\u201d<\/p>\n

Master Sgt. Natasha Bryant<\/a> hunted for deals in the children\u2019s section<\/a>, where she was shopping for her 4-month-old son. The section features fashionable clothing at affordable prices: $5, two for $15, $10, $15 and $20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came in looking for steals and deals, and I found some,\u201d she said, holding infant boys shirts from Nautica and Carter\u2019s. \u201cThe children\u2019s section is customer-friendly\u2014and it looks bigger, more open.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Barksdale Exchange General Manager Ellen Henderson, seeing the store filled with satisfied shoppers made her team\u2019s hard work pay off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis updated store really shows how much the Exchange cares,\u201d Henderson said. \u201cThe Exchange is truly part of this community\u2014and we want to make Barksdale the best it can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

\u00a0The 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 http:\/\/www.aafes.com\/about-exchange\/public-affairs\/press-releases.htm<\/a> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

\u00a0Media Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n

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

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