New flooring is installed Monday in what will be the new Be Fit center at the Fort Campbell exchange. The collection of men's and women's athletic wear and accessories will be the largest of its kind throughout AAFES when completed, and is a reflecti...
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- As the calendar creeps closer to another holiday season, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service wants to make sure that its customers receive the best, both in terms of merchandise and shopping experience. Currently, Fort Campbell's main exchange is going through a large-scale remodel to accomplish this vision.
"Every area inside the store will be changed, upgraded and refinished," said Gina Woodruff, store manager. "Everything on the inside is being redone. We're getting new carpet, new tile and new fixtures. We're also getting new merchandise. It's a complete facelift."
Planning for the store makeover began approximately two years ago, and work officially began July 27. Barring any setbacks, the project is set for a completion date of Oct. 31.
"We're loving the look," Woodruff said. "The tile of course looks great, and the carpet really lightens up the store. It really makes a difference."
While she is excited about the many aesthetic upgrades being applied to the store, Woodruff said that is only a fraction of the change customers can expect. A major change customers can expect is a revamp of all of the stores sections, complete with new lines of merchandise.
"Some areas are getting smaller, based on lack of sales, and some are getting bigger," Woodruff said. "What they did was take a 10-year trend analysis of how our customers here at Fort Campbell shop, and they divided the departments that way."
Areas in the store being reduced reside mainly in the hardware section, while shoppers in areas like firearms, women and children's clothing and the electronics section collectively known as the Power Zone will see expansions.
"I think the customers are going to be happy," Woodruff said. "And it's what they want, based on their shopping trends."
Woodruff said that one of the biggest features to be unveiled in the project is the consolidation of men's and women's athletic wear and accessories into a Be Fit center.
"Last Friday we were able to move in the clothing portion of it and we already have had huge success in that area," she said. "People have been saying they didn't even know we carried all of this, because it's always been separated. Now it's all together and it's getting great customer interest."
Upon completion, the Be Fit center will be the largest of its kind throughout AAFES stores.
"That includes all of the bases that have the really big stores like in Japan," Woodruff said. "Our section will be even bigger than theirs based on our customers. They're shopping there, so we're giving it to them."
Because renovations are taking place in a sectional fashion, all merchandise will be available to exchange customers throughout the entire project period. Merchandise from areas undergoing renovation will be relocated to allotted "swing spaces" throughout the store.
"Everything is still accessible," Woodruff said. "If they can't find it, they can ask someone. But the customers have been great. They've been really understanding. They know that when it's over, it's so going to be worth it."
Woodruff said while she understands that the project presents a few minor inconveniences, she appreciates the patience customers have shown.
"We want to make sure they experience the least amount of frustration as possible," she said. "When it's done, it's going to look more upscale. We're giving them the best of the best, and we're taking it up a notch for our customers."
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