JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES, is making great headway on the first phase in a multi-phased development, according to the 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron’s project manager, Abraham Goodwin.
The new Exchange shopping center will be occupy 210,000 square feet and is expected to be complete in early 2020.
“Although much of the work remains, the contractor is making pretty good progress,” Goodwin said. “Soil excavations will continue into the spring and will be followed suit with foundation/utility work.”
The shopping center will replace the current Exchange, which was built in 1971 and most recently remodeled in 2010.
The new center will consist of the main Exchange, mall and food court (replacing the current one), and separately located Exchange and PXtra stores to provide modern, convenient one-stop shopping. The food court will include eight restaurants: Starbucks, Sarku Japan, Freshens, Subway, Charleys, Boston Market, Qdoba and Arby’s. The mall will include 12 convenient services, 10 kiosks, a dental clinic and a pharmacy.
“Approximately 263,000 authorized shoppers live in the greater San Antonio area and will benefit from a modern shopping experience, while helping improve the quality of life for those who call JBSA-Fort Sam Houston home as 100 percent of Exchange earnings support service members and their families,” according to AAFES officials.
Two-thirds of Exchange earnings support Army Child Development Centers, Youth Programs and Fitness Centers, Air Force Outdoor Recreation, school lunches for Warfighters’ children overseas and combat uniforms. The remaining earnings support improving the shopping experience, including new shopping centers like the one currently under construction.