• VANCE AFB, Okla.
On April 17, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) celebrated the grand reopening of the Vance AFB Troop Store.
The 30,481-square-foot store’s upgrade wrapped up in just five months.
THE UPGRADE
The store, originally built in 1983 and last upgraded in 1992, now boasts a walk‑in cooler, customer lounge, refreshed décor, an expanded Military Clothing department and three restaurants: Chopz, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Express Kitchen.
The upgrade was a cross-functional effort that began as an idea sketched on a paper towel in 2019 and was led by Exchange directorates, including Real Estate and the Central Region, and Tinker AFB associates.
The $3.5-million upgrade was funded mostly by the Exchange, with the Air Force contributing $615,000.
“Team Vance is proud to serve nearly 7,000 eligible Exchange shoppers, including service members, veterans and their families in the northwestern Oklahoma area,” said Vanessa Rowland, Exchange North Central Region vice president (VP), and former general manager (GM) of the facility.
“During my tenure as general manager, region leadership visited the facility, and we realized the initial renovation plan for the Vance Troop Store wasn’t ideal for customer engagement — it was based mainly on sales and foot‑traffic patterns and included a wall separating the Express,” Rowland said.
“The paper‑towel sketch is what ultimately opened the door to an open floor plan concept. This image upgrade showcases the Exchange’s commitment to supporting the needs of our nation’s heroes by providing them with the resources necessary to remain mission ready.”
Rowland noted that the addition of three restaurants “allows the Vance Exchange to expand its selection of Better-For-You choices to support nutritional readiness.”
“STRONG PARTNERSHIPS”
The store was an immediate hit, generating $13,000 in sales on its first day, with Snack Avenue one of the leading departments.
“Today’s opening reflects what strong partnerships can accomplish,” said Col. Joshua Lundeby, Vance AFB 71st Flying Training Wing commander. “The new BX is more than a facility — it’s an investment in our Airmen, families and the quality of life that directly supports mission success.
“Together with the Exchange, we’re proud to deliver a space that supports the dedicated families and professionals we rely on to train the world’s best pilots.”
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
