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Cannon BX unveils 'image upgrade'

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Stephanie Strine
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M --  The newly renovated Cannon Base Exchange opened its doors to a crowd of more than 100 eager customers early Friday morning, May 14. The grand opening event included a ribbon cutting-ceremony and merchandise giveaways.

Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella, Army and Air Force Exchange Service commander, Col. Stephen Clark, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, Col. Steven Kimball, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Hector Baez, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group superintendant, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The "image upgrade," which began in June, 2009, intended to change the selection of merchandise to meet the demands of the military community, according to BX general manager Jeff Willis. "The response has been very positive," he said.

The $5.5 million renovation was necessary, he said, due to the growth at Cannon and the changing demographics of the community. The BX, built in the 1980s, serves more than 11,000 military members, family members and retirees who live in the area today.

In addition to a 1,500-square-foot increase floor space for additional merchandise, the facility added a Subway, Java Loft and GNC. In addition, several local businesses and concessionaires, such as Dave's Woodshop of Clovis, set up retail locations.

At the ceremony, General Casella told the crowd, "times have changed, but our commitment to taking care of our community definitely has not." The renovation, which he called "more than just a paint job," required a regional team effort and a lot of hard work.

The BX expanded brand-name fashions, added cosmetic brands and increased merchandise selection to be more relevant to Airmen's needs, he said. General Casella also praised Java Loft for its "pretty good coffee."

"AAFES is committed to providing you the best cost we can to make your money go a little farther," he assured the anxious customers. Part of his job, he said, is to "transform facilities, and do it in style."

AAFES celebrates its 115th birthday in July, and the organization's pledge is, "we go where you go." According to its Web site, AAFES is a military organization with locations in more than 30 countries that provides merchandise and services to military members, retirees and their families at competitively low prices. The organization returns about two-thirds of its earnings to the Army and Air Force to improve troops' quality of life and support morale, welfare and recreation programs.

Karen Stephens and Catherine Switzer, AAFES employees from Randolph AFB, Texas, have been at Cannon for about two weeks helping prepare for the grand opening. Personnel from Texas, California and Nevada came to help set up the new store.

The BX decreased its stockroom space by 20 percent to expand the store, Ms. Stephens said, and "the updated merchandising has livened up the store, "according to Ms. Switzer.

Master Sgt. Lorenzo Trotter of the 27th Special Operations Communication Squadron said he likes the new BX because it is convenient, and he is already on base almost every day. With the renovations, he said he will likely spend more money there.

Retired Army Pfc. Reyes Gonzalez of Clovis said he has been shopping at the Cannon BX for about 10 years, and shops there first before other local stores. He said the new BX is "real nice, compared to what it was."

Assistant store manager Jessica Foster said when customers now walk in they seem impressed by the changes. She highlighted the better selection of merchandise and sales throughout the weekend, and thanked military members and their families for their support. Customers can enter raffles all weekend in celebration of the upgraded BX, and drawings will be held Monday.

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