FORT GORDON, Ga. (Aug. 21, 2015) -- Exchange patrons will notice significant changes to the Main Store's interior as it enters the final construction phase.
The $22 million construction expansion project that broke ground in November 2013 is in phase four of a six-phase process. Phase three, to the right of the main entrance, will be finished by the end of this month. The space will house shops that were previously co-located with the PXTra, to include military clothing sales, dry cleaners/laundry, the parcel shipping store, and optical center. Sheila Clark, Fort Gordon Exchange manager, said staff will work during the shops' regularly scheduled days off in order to minimize closure during merchandise relocation.
The refill pharmacy currently inside the mall area of the Exchange will also relocate to that space and increase in size -- a major plus for the community.
"It will alleviate some of the parking issues and wait times at the hospital," Clark said.
Firearms, lawn and garden, seasonal furniture, and appliances, previously inside the PXTra, are now a part of the main store. Also previously at the PXTra, automotive tire sales are now made at the main store's customer service. The Class Six has been relocated to the back right side of the main store with a separate outdoor entrance. It is scheduled to reopen Saturday.
Heading inside the main store, it's impossible not to notice a large section of the store occupied by makeshift boarded walls. That space is where phase four is currently underway. Clark said it took a tremendous amount of teamwork to relocate cosmetics, children's clothing, and women's merchandise previously in that area.
To minimize disruption, staff moved one category of merchandise per day over a three day period. Cosmetics are currently in a "flex" area while phase four construction occurs.
"When I say flex area, it's actually the area that's dedicated to be for furniture," Clark explained. "I need to have flex area to move all those categories to accommodate the construction. That's why you don't see furniture in the store yet."
Construction entails installing new concrete floors, ceilings, and lights, followed by new fixtures. The space will house cosmetics and a brand new central checkout area. Clark anticipates all of phase four will be completed by the end of October.
"We're pushing hard to stay on target by having the main store completed before we go into the holiday season," Clark said.
The final two phases, five and six, involve the mall area and food court. The space where the pharmacy and GNC are will be reconstructed and become part of the dining area, increasing the amount of seats and dining options. And while she cannot disclose all of what to expect dining-wise just yet, she did confirm that Boston Market and Starbucks will be among them.
The barber shop and other commodities will relocate to where the cash registers are now, making way for a less crowded space.
"The store will actually slide back some in order to widen the mall," Clark said. "Right now our mall is extremely narrow, so if there are people with carts, kiosks for vendors, and people walking both ways, it's very tight to get through."
Initially slated to open next month, the project completion date was moved to spring 2016; a delay the store's manager is confident will be worth the wait.
Once completed, the Exchange will span 180,000 square feet, more than double its original size.
"You'll be able to get everything in one place," Clark said. "It's going to be so much more convenient for everyone."
In the meantime, she asks customers to be patient and wants them to know that she and the store's associates understand some of the frustrations they may have.
"Every day, it's looking around and finding out, 'OK, where did we move it to now?'" Clark said. "We ask that customers don't hesitate to stop by any associate to ask for assistance in the store, because we do understand how confusing it can be."
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