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Base Exchange image upgrade improvement nearing completion

  • Published
  • By Scott King
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --    Since February, the Fairchild Base Exchange has been undergoing a six-phase project to modernize their facility in an effort to upgrade their image and provide a better shopping experience for their customers.
  The $2 million project is now 95 percent complete. The image upgrade includes just about all aspects of the Main Store and Mall.
  In the mall area, the floors now feature a new caramel-colored polished concrete finish, new ceiling and energy-efficient lights are installed, the restrooms have been remodeled and the walls have received a new finish.
  In the main store, the floors now feature a new caramel-colored polished concrete finish, carpets have been replaced, new ceiling and energy-efficient lights are installed and the walls have received a facelift.
  The administrative areas now have new carpeting, new energy-efficient lighting and the employee restrooms have been renovated.
  They are striving for a better and expanded experience for their customers.
  "The project is going very well. The cooperation from the base, contractor and our store personnel has been fantastic," said Mark Boyer, BX general manager. "This will be of great benefit to the community and our customers. The shopping experience will be more in-line with our newer stores as the new standards will be in place. We want to provide a more modern shopping experience for our valued customers. There is a new firearms department, an expanded (enclosed) outdoor living area, a new and improved PowerZone department, a new checkout register area and a mobile communications sales center."
  As with any major project, inconveniences are to be expected.
  "Our intent has been to minimize any inconveniences to our customers," Boyer said. "There have been some customer traffic diversions. We appreciate the understanding of our valued customers as we make these improvements and hope they will benefit with a more modern and customer-friendly environment."
  The base exchange also gives back to its customers and Fairchild.
  "We want people to shop here - we're tax free," Boyer said. "We also help Fairchild as a whole by contributing to the base's Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. In fiscal year 2010 we contributed more than $430,000 to MWR, another benefit of shopping your Fairchild Exchange."
  They are looking forward to the project being completed. 
  "It's always a pleasure to be a part of making the base a better place for our service members and their families," Boyer said. "Our grand re-opening is scheduled for Oct. 7 - we are looking forward to continuing our great services to Fairchild in a brand new environment."