If you've been to the Commissary this week, you undoubtedly have noticed construction as soon as you walked in the door. If you didn't, you figured it out when you were diverted into the warehouse to find Aisles 1 and 2.

The work -- $14 million spent over nine phases in one year -- will revamp the entire store to better serve customers and save energy, all while the commissary remains open for business.

And all of this is your doing.

You won't have to wield a hammer or schlep shelves. You already have done your part by paying a special surcharge set aside for construction -- an extra nickel per dollar.

The first change involves the deli and bakery.

"It's small and condensed," commissary manager Bernie Ellison says of the area. "It's an injustice; it's not fair for the community what we have."

The newly expanded area will allow for a considerably greater assortment of items for patrons, Ellison said.

Aisles 1 and 2 already have been moved into the warehouse -- commissary workers tackled it overnight - but remain available to shoppers.

The new deli and bakery are to move into the area Aisle 1 formerly occupied, once walls have been torn down and the new area constructed.

Ellison said he and his team were "working hard, trying to save money and using common sense" to perform renovations while maintaining the level of customer service and keeping all of the current 22,000 line items available to patrons.

Other changes include moving the customer-service area; extending aisles; adding self-checkout lanes; installing new floor tile, shelving units, freezers and a heating and cooling system; changing the store entrance to make it easier for handicapped patrons; using fresh paint and new decor throughout the store; resurfacing the parking area and adding energy- efficient lighting there as well.

The massive project is scheduled to be complete in January 2017 and will be celebrated with a grand opening.

Sfc. Andrea Howard said Tuesday night that she liked what the commissary had to offer but would be happy to see wider aisles and more self-checkout lanes -- especially on days the store is crowded.

Shopper Vevian Elder said she was excited to see the changes, too, although she likes the commissary the way it is. But she wasn't nearly as excited as her 9-year-old daughter, Kathleen.

"Is there going to be a hot tub in the bathroom?" Kathleen asked.

SIDEBAR:

Fort Jackson's Commissary will spend $14 million to upgrade and expand its shopping area from 37,700 to 39,830 square feet.

Here's what's on its shopping list:

o Deli/bakery. Renovate rear hallway, produce department, customer rest rooms.

o Renovate store entrance, move electric carts to entrance, renovate meat department storage area and eye-wash station.

o Renovate meat department processing area, customer restrooms.

o Build a new office area, customer restrooms.

o Install new produce- refrigeration units, renovate freeze and chill storage areas.

o Demolish employee break room, rest rooms.

o Install new freezer and chilled units on sales floor. (Will be broken into two phases.)

o Install new shelving for entire sales floor.