Whiteman Base Exchange celebrates grand re-opening

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  It was a 'time to celebrate' as the Base Exchange held its Grand Re-Opening with a ribbon cutting here Thursday.

Brigadier General Robert Wheeler, 509th Bomb Wing Commander, Becky Stover, BX manager and Vick Stevenson, Army Air Force Exchange Service Vice President for the central region attended the ceremony. Joining them was Staff Sgt. Bryan Hughes, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, and his family to assist with the ribbon cutting.

The $2.7 million in renovations began in February to update image of the store. Ms. Stover remarked that customers may notice that the BX looks a lot brighter because the ceiling fixtures are all the same height now.

"Before the renovation, there were a lot of dark pockets and drop-down ceilings with different heights," Ms. Stover said. "Plus, we had all new lighting installed so it added to the brightness."

Customers now benefit from a new counter in the Power Zone section of the store. Included in the Power Zone section is a kiosk vending machine for customer convenience. Patrons can now download music to a digital device or burn a CD right in the store. Additionally, the kiosk will soon be able to download and burn audio books and DVDs.

Customers are pleased with the remodeling.

"I appreciate the expanded electronics section," said Christina Orrick, AFFES customer. "The selection is bigger and it looks really nice."

AFFES customer Lora Konard also mentioned that she liked the bigger and wider aisles and said the layout is a lot easier to move around in.

Ms. Stover explained that the BX has gained some extra space in re-working the floor and have extended the carpeting into the vinyl tile area which gives a little more room in the soft-line areas.

Just east of the main entrance, is the outdoor living area which includes the Firearms and Ammunition Shop and an expanded version of Toy Land.

"Toy Land is much bigger this year than it has ever been previously," said Ms. Stover. "The actual space in the outdoor area is considered new floor space because we've never had that space to use before. Now that the area is climate controlled, it adds about 5,000 square feet to our current sales floor."

"We are excited about the improvements and look forward to introducing customers to a new shopping experience," said General Wheeler.

Future plans to the outdoor living area include an expanded section that will extend outside of the store with new fixture and an installed sprinkler system.

The BX hours of operations are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. The direct line for the BX is (660)-563-3001.