New consolidated shoppette opens

SPANGHDALEM AIR BASE, Germany – Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief, waits as Elke Mansir, shoppette cashier, rings up his purchase. The new center which houses the base’s shoppette, car care center and gas station, opened Dec. 5, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris Mills)

New consolidated shoppette opens

SPANGHDALEM AIR BASE, Germany – A ribbon cutting ceremony with Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, Linda Adams, facility manager and Mike Strin, Spangdahlem consolidated exchange general manager, opened the center, which houses the base’s shoppette, car care center and gas station, Dec. 5, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris Mills)

New consolidated shoppette opens

SPANGHDALEM AIR BASE, Germany – Airman 1st Class Matthew Angel, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, is one of the first customers to refuel at the new consolidated shoppette at Spangdahlem Air Base. The new facility houses the base shoppette, gas station and car care center Dec. 5, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chris Mills)

New consolidated shoppette opens at Spangdahlem AB

Published Dec. 7, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGHDALEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Members of the Spangdahlem Air Base community gathered at the new base consolidated shoppette eager to see what the long awaited facility had to offer Dec. 5.

A ribbon cutting ceremony with Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, Linda Adams, facility manager and Mike Strin, Spangdahlem consolidated exchange general manager, opened the center which houses the base's shoppette, car care center and gas station.

"Something like this does not just grow out of the ground; it takes a lot of people," Colonel Roberson said. "The project was driven by a desire of all involved to meet the needs of the Spangdahlem Air Base community.

"This is an exciting time for the base because a lot of people were anxious for this to open," Colonel Roberson said. "It will increase our fuel capacity, three fold. We have consolidated a lot of services in one place. Plus all of the things you need, you can get right here."

The project, which cost more than $8 million, took more than five years to become a reality.

"Many people made this happen," Mr. Strin said. "Having everything at one place is a tremendous benefit to everyone. Thanks to all of the people who were involved."

To Ms. Adams, the new facility is more than it appears on the surface.

"We are able to offer a clean, bright, new facility to the shoppers," she said. "We are hoping to offer convenient one stop shopping. We combined three facilities into one, so now we have one location for our customers to stop, snack, fill up their car and get an oil change."

Open 24-hours a day seven-days, a week, the facility also offers customers video rentals and a car wash. "The one-stop shopping and long hours are things that customers like," said Ponchie Wyatt, shoppette customer."

"I think it is great," she said. It is a beautiful place with lots of convenient items. It is perfect when you are PCSing in, you can come here late at night to grab those quick things like shampoo, conditioner and so on."