Commissary gets new look; modern feel

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom's commissary patrons may have noticed another sign that greets them as they approach the entrance to the store. It indicates a project that is underway, scheduled for completion in August and construction has begun in the first aisle of the store. The bakery and deli area renovation is the first phase of the project. 

After four years of planning, the store is undergoing a facelift to bring it up to date with interior décor and the chill and freeze areas, according to John Nelson, commissary manager here. 

"We found out funding had been approved shortly after I arrived here two years ago," Mr. Nelson said. "The $4.5 million dollar project started just after Thanksgiving and will continue on into the summer." 

Carothers Construction of Westvale, Miss., was awarded the contract that will provide the store with new refrigeration and freezers around the perimeter of the store, starting in the bakery and deli area. The project will continue in phases, moving to the produce section, then the meat, cheese and milk sections before concluding in the freezer sections. 

"All of the coffin-style freezers will be replaced with the stand-up style freezers you see in the downtown grocery stores," Mr. Nelson explained. "The contract also calls for new tiling around the upper facades and new signage in the isles. The store will get a whole new and modern look." 

During the construction phases, each area undergoing renovation has been tasked to come up with a contest for customers to participate in. In this phase, patrons are being asked to guess the estimated completion date of the bakery and deli make-over. There is a drop box and entry forms located at the bakery counter for anyone who wants to take a guess. The winner will be given a $25 gift check for use in the commissary. 

"Each section will devise a fun way to keep patrons involved while allowing us to offer something back to them for the inconvenience the renovation is apt to cause," Mr. Nelson said. Each contest start date and what is being offered will be advertised in the High Plains Warrior. 

As a result of the redesign, the current dry-goods shelving will be extended by four feet - two feet on each end - allowing for more room to stock items and less clutter on the end caps, according to Mr. Nelson.