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Commissary Receives Extreme Makeover

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Derrick Spencer
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Recently the Andersen commissary has become a bit more chaotic due to extensive renovation taking place in the store.

The Defense Commissary Agency better known as DECA has allocated $8.9 million dollars for the construction to change out the old refrigeration equipment, and to revamp the shopping area for a better shopping experience. The renovation began in November 2009, and is slated to be complete by summer 2011.

"The equipment has a life-span on it, and all the refrigeration cases need to be swapped out," said Commissary Store Director, Mr. Gary Whitmire. "We were also trying to modernize the overall look of the sales room floor."

The area receiving the most attention is the Value Mart section of the commissary. It is one of the busiest parts of the store, and is actually part of the warehouse storage section. The Value Mart will receive new walls and air conditioning to feel more like an extension to the store rather than a stuffy warehouse. In addition, the front of the Value Mart will not be limited to the small door entrance. The entire front portion will be opened to accept large groups of people at once.

"I think the renovation is long overdue," said Staff Sergeant Danielle Spencer, 36th Munitions Squadron. "I already see improvements, and it will make my life much easier down the line when I come back to shop."

Upon completion, the entire store will be painted, the decor package will change, tiles will be swapped, and the overall cosmetics of the store will change. Staring at the construction like a proud dad, Mr. Whitmire seemed just as excited as the shoppers to see the final product.

"I think it's going to be a real improvement to the community, [it] should really look nice when we get it completed," said Mr. Whitmire.