New BX, Shoppette coming soon Published Sept. 13, 2007 By Senior Airman Danny Monahan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot Air Force Base held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Base Exchange and Shoppette at the west end of the Commissary Sept. 6. Minot AFB is getting a new BX and Shoppette because their current facilities are aging. "The current BX and Shoppette were never intended for their current uses," said Kevin Nelson, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Due to the limitations of the current BX and Shoppette facilities, AAFES customers at Minot have typically seen lower stock levels, less selection and a less enjoyable shopping experience than they would enjoy at the typical Minot-sized base." The new BX will be constructed at the west end of the Commissary, while the Shoppette will be constructed on the south side of Missile Avenue (near the F-106 static display.) "The sites were chosen based on availability of land and a desire to make a one-stop shopping destination for Team Minot families by collocating the BX and the commissary," said Mr. Nelson referring to the west-end construction site. "In addition, the new Shoppette will include replacement of the existing AAFES Service Station and add an AAFES-operated car wash." Once construction is complete the new facilities will provide a better overall shopping experience, according to Mr. Nelson. "Our new BX and Shoppette facilities will be state-of-the-art in every way, from better lighting to vastly improved store layouts," said Mr. Nelson. "Both the new BX and Shoppette will be larger than the existing facilities, which means more room for a better selection of goods and higher stock levels." The new BX will increase its size to 86,000 square feet, while the new Shoppette is projected to be 19,000 square feet. Not only will new facilities improve shopping options, but they improve quality of life, according to Lt. Col. Brian May, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron. "The outstanding men and women of Team Minot deserve high quality facilities across the board," said Colonel May. "Given our remote location, I don't believe there are many bases in the United States that need world-class AAFES facilities more than Minot. With the limitations of the current facilities, many base residents either preferred or were required to head downtown to meet their shopping needs." The base is also discussing several options as to what to do with the existing BX and Shoppette once they become available. "We are exploring a number of alternatives for the old BX," said Mr. Nelson. "Among them, we are developing a concept for converting the old BX structure to an indoor small arms training range. We recently completed a feasibility study that indicates the old BX can be modified to accommodate a firing range and other security forces training activities." As for the Shoppette, the base is looking into the possibility of centralizing Airman-focused activities there. "While plans are very preliminary, planning efforts are focused on consolidating a number of things there," said Mr. Nelson. "Candidate activities currently include chapel support functions, the Airman's Attic, the food pantry and centralized dorm management offices." The new Shoppette is scheduled to be complete by late 2008, and the new BX is scheduled for spring/summer 2009. The projected cost is approximately $17.4 million. "With improved facilities, Team Minot shoppers will be able to find more of what they need right here on base," said Colonel May.