Shoppers rejoice - renovations to the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Exchange on the Fort Myer portion of joint base are now complete.
JBM-HH leaders, representatives from the Military District of Washington, exchange employees and community members gathered for a grand-opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting in the afternoon heat June 4.
"It has been nearly 20 years since the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Exchange has undergone such an extensive upgrade," said JBM-HH Commander Col. Fern O. Sumpter during her keynote remarks. "It's been a long time coming and it's been a lot of work. I think you'll all agree - it's been well worth the wait."
The new Exchange features a variety of changes and improvements, including a new Subway restaurant and GNC storefront, as well as an updated barber shop, dry cleaner, florist and optical center. There are also plans to add a Starbucks by the year's end.
The building has the space and flexibility for additional concessions kiosks, too. The Exchange Mobile Communication kiosk, featuring products from major cell phone providers, is coming soon.
Additionally, the new Exchange also features an expanded military clothing store within the main store.
"Now Soldiers don't have to walk or find a ride down to the other side of post to get items for their uniforms," Sumpter said. "That's one of the key things to making sure we take care of our servicemembers - put what they need where they need it when they need it."
Sumpter encouraged JBM-HH service members and families to shop at the new exchange, as it benefits the joint base's entire community. In 2013, dividends from the exchange totaled $1.3 million and went to support Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities.
Nildy Eiley, general manager for both the Fort Belvoir and JBM-HH Exchanges, said the community could be proud of its new store.
"Now that the hard work is done, it's time for us to enjoy the easy part, and my favorite sport - shopping!" she said.
Sumpter and Eiley were both in the ribbon-cutting delegation, along with JBM-HH Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Y. Lavender; Stacy Firemoon, the Exchange's main store manager; MDW Noncommissioned Officer Best Warrior Competition winner Staff Sgt. Jacob West and Best Soldier first runner-up Specialist Anders Eiremo.
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