News

Commissary Club opens March 7 at McChord Field

  • Published
  • By Nancy O'Nell
  • Defense Commissary Agency
FORT LEE, Va., --  Recognizing the popularity of club store shopping, the Defense Commissary Agency will begin testing a new club store format March 7 at the McChord Field Commissary, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The format features a huge, new section of the store dedicated to club packs and other oversized packaged products commonly found in commercial warehouse club stores. DeCA calls the new store format a "Commissary Club," and McChord Field is the first of its kind.

"Many customers have noticed the construction going on at the back of the store," said McChord Field Commissary Store Director Janice Coleman. "We've been renovating a 10,000-square-foot area of the warehouse, and the Commissary Club will be ready for our customers to shop on March 7."

The added club section is completely new shopping territory for patrons to explore.

"We installed new freezers, refrigerators and racks for jumbo-sized packages of meat, produce, dairy, frozen foods, and center-of-the-store type groceries and supplies. Nearly every product category sold in the traditional part of the store will be available in jumbo size in the club area," said Coleman.

The original commissary that military shoppers have known for years was left intact. Patrons will still be able to find all the regular and small-size packaged products there.

"The Commissary Club model offers patrons club store and traditional grocery store shopping under one roof. And the only membership card customers need is their military ID," said Bruce Dubisar, project manager for DeCA's club store concept.

DeCA will evaluate the new format's operations and customer acceptance of the Commissary Club model. Because it is a concept test limited to one store, officials are quick to let area shoppers know that there are no plans to change the format of the Lewis Main Commissary, which is also on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"We're looking forward to hearing from our patrons on this new store experience at McChord Field," Dubisar said. "Their feedback is invaluable as we strive to deliver a relevant 21st century commissary benefit."