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Exchange first in DOD to receive new AAFES look

  • Published
  • By John Stuart
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Darlene Davis wheels her cart through the spacious aisles, shopping for everything and nothing. It's 10 minutes after the official Sept. 17 reopening of the Tinker Exchange, and she likes what she sees.

"It looks great, this is nice," Ms. Davis said. "It's more spread out and it's labeled to where you can find what you're looking for."

Davis' husband, Curtis, a retired Army sergeant major, is there too. For years they've come to shop on base twice a month, since his 1985 retirement. Now, with the reopening of the first ever Exchange, they'll have extra incentive to shop on base.

Minutes earlier, hundreds of patrons had crowded outside the entrance of the Exchange, waiting for the doors to open. What had been a 116-day, 24-7 renovation of the 174,000-square-foot facility was finally coming to fruition as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service opened the Tinker Exchange as a test model for the future of military shopping.

"Thank you for coming to this historic event," said AAFES commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella, just before the doors opened. "We have 40,000 associates working in AAFES across the world. We go where you go every day. Welcome to your new Exchange."

The McCLoud High School Band played "Oklahoma" as the crowd shuffled forward to shop and partake of refreshments, celebrating the reopening and the Air Force's 63rd birthday.

Senior Airman Jennifer Ponder stands in the electronics-savvy PowerZone, registering for her chance to win a 42-inch plasma TV. The Exchange had multiple drawings for items across the store. Airman Ponder, who was shopping for a desk and mattress, took the extra time to fill out her card, in hopes of winning the TV alongside scores of others doing the same.

"It's gorgeous, I really like the store," Airman Ponder said. "It's a step up from what it was before."

Particularly, Airman Ponder liked the influx of knowledgeable Exchange associates in each department to assist her.

Nearby, Chief Master Sgt. Arris Hill inspects a lineup of portable DVD players with his 19-month-old daughter. Chief Hill is visibly enjoying himself in the electronics section. His daughter likes gadgets too, he said.

"It's a huge transformation," Chief Hill said. "It gives (Airmen) a fresh perspective and changes their preconceived notions about what Base Exchanges were in the past. It was a momentous occasion, fortunately to coincide with the Air Force's birthday, so it's a real win-win for everyone."

More than 10,000 people visited the Exchange over the reopening weekend, with 5,000 browsing the store on Friday alone. The new line of furniture nearly sold out and sales figures were more than double what they were on those days a year earlier, said store manager Michael Patmon.

"I really believe the renovation is an outstanding step toward customers choosing us," Mr. Patmon said. "I've had at least five people ask for me just to tell me how much they love the store. We're excited because we wanted a complete transformation and we got it."

The renovation also extended to the shoppette at Arnold and H Avenues. Renamed Express One, the 24-hour convenience store is getting the same branding elements as the Exchange, as well as faster gas pumps and an expanded lineup of merchandise. The Express store renovation began this week and is expected to last 30 days.

"Tinker now has the best of everything," Mr. Patmon said. "Tinker has things that no one else has. It's special for us but it's special for the customer too."