(Story and photo courtesy Zach Wright, Army and Air Force Exchange Service public affairs)
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service unveiled its new troop store at Fort Eisenhower with a ribbon cutting and grand opening May 30, giving service members an improved shopping experience at the home of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence.
The 12,808-square-foot troop store provides an improved, convenient shopping experience, according to a news release.
The new troop store replaces the old store at Building 25711, 447 Signal 26th Barnes Ave., which closed April 15, and expands services with a barber shop, a Starbucks with a drive-thru, Qdoba, Hunt Brothers Pizza and a Snack Avenue, offering service members more food, snacks and services on the go. The store also stocks hygiene and toiletry items; bedding; cleaning products; and small electronics, such as desk fans, phone chargers and other mobile accessories.
Fort Eisenhower Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Durette joined Fort Eisenhower Exchange General Manager LaToya Harris in a ribbon-cutting. Shoppers received cake, food samplings and giveaways, and the first 100 guests received goodie bags.
“The new troop store is just one example of the Exchange’s commitment to Quality of Life at Fort Eisenhower,” Durette said. “We are excited to continue building up our community together.”
Construction on the $11 million project, funded mostly by the Exchange, took about 15 months. The troop store received $223,000 in appropriated funds for utilities, fire code and infrastructure.
The store, at Building 25730, 637 Chamberlain Ave., is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starbucks is open Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Qdoba is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When service members shop with the Exchange, they help make their community stronger as 100% of Exchange earnings are reinvested into Quality-of-Life programs and capital investments such as the new troop store.
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