Colorado Springs Exchange Opens 25th Micro Market
The Colorado Springs Consolidated Exchange opened its 25th micro market last week, bringing more convenient, healthful food options to Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and Cadets.
The most recent micro market is at a barracks location on Fort Carson, which is home to 16 other micro markets. The other eight self-serve markets are located across the U.S. Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base and the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
From left, Terri Hill, Services Business Manager; Julia Reynolds Services Operations Assistant; Dawn Williams, outgoing Services Business Manager;
SFC Ates, Building Noncommissioned Officer in Charge; Julianne Yuhas, Ave C Manager; and Crystal Stebbins, Ave C/Canteen General Manager, cut the ribbon on Colorado Springs Consolidated Exchange’s 25th micro market.
The markets fill a variety of needs around the installations, providing fresh, better-for-you meals, snacks, and beverages outside of normal business hours—many of the markets are 24/7—and in locations far from an Exchange restaurant or Express.
“It’s all about convenience, healthier food options and more hours of operation,” said Dawn Williams, the Colorado Springs Consolidated Exchange services business manager, who has overseen the opening of 22 micro markets in the last three years. “We are in the unique position to serve multiple branches of the military. The healthier food options and meeting the BE FIT 360 standards are very important to the commands, as well as the service members.”
The micro markets allow the Exchange to bring better-for-you dining options to service members right where they live and work. Command personnel have been very supportive of the micro markets.
“One command sergeant major at Fort Carson shared awareness of the micro markets with his peers, both locally and worldwide, and encouraged them to look into getting one for their units, including military and civilian buildings,” Williams said. “Our requests have taken off since then.”
The Colorado Springs Exchange is continuing to meet the demand—five more micro markets are planned before the end of the year.
