JBLM Exchange Celebrates $72.6 Million Expansion with Grand Reopening Event
More than 345,000 military shoppers in the Seattle-Tacoma area can now enjoy a modern shopping experience at the Exchange. The military community at Joint Base Lewis-McChord gathered in the newly renovated Lewis Exchange shopping center to celebrate the grand reopening of the $72.6 million facility on Sept. 28.
Cutting the ribbon on the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lewis Main Exchange’s $72.6 million renovation Sept. 28 are, from left, Exchange Western Region Senior Vice President Ronny Rexrode, JBLM Lewis Exchange Food Business Manager Patricia Beavers, JBLM Lewis Exchange Main Store Manager Stacie Sterling, JBLM Exchange General Manager Matthew Beatty, Command Sgt. Maj. Waylon Perry, Col. Christopher Hall, Garrison Commander Col. Phil Lamb, Vice Wing Commander Col. David J. Morales; in back, Food Business Manager Kathleen Phelps, Exchange Northwest Area Regional Vice President Carrie Cammel, Chief Master Sgt. John Marquez and JBLM Lewis Exchange Retail Business Manager Penny Palmer. (Photo by JBLM Lewis Exchange Sales and Merchandise Manager Jocelyn Rosario.)
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison Commander Col. Phil Lamb, Vice Wing Commander Col. David J. Morales, Exchange Western Region Senior Vice President Ronny Rexrode, Exchange Senior Vice President of Real Estate Mike Smietana, Exchange Northwest Area Regional Vice President Carrie Cammel and JBLM Exchange General Manager Matthew Beatty cut the ribbon on the expanded and upgraded Exchange.
“This modern store demonstrates the Exchange’s dedication to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the people who live and work here, and the retirees and Veterans in the area as well,” Col. Lamb said. “Thank you to the Exchange for being true partners with us and standing with our community to make it better.”
The Exchange’s Corporate Communication and Brand Marketing team shared the ribbon-cutting on Facebook Live, capturing the reactions of Exchange leaders and highlighting the renovated facility. Click here to see the video.
The 295,800-square-foot shopping center now houses an expanded food court, including Slim Chickens, Subway, Arby’s and Charleys. In the expanded PX, shoppers will find American Eagle, Aerie, Old Navy and other national brands as well as enhanced BE FIT, sports nutrition, gaming and furniture concept shops.
In the mall, the Exchange opened its 100th Starbucks location, the first Petco on a military installation and its first Bath & Body Works shop worldwide as part of the project.
Army Specialist Carly Goodman, assigned to the 62nd Medical Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was among the first shoppers to explore the shopping center after the official grand reopening.
“It’s beautiful! It’s up to date. It’s somewhere I want to come and shop even though I don’t live on post,” Goodman said. “The tax-free benefit is one of the biggest incentives. There’s very competitive pricing, especially with inflation, and it’s expensive to live here. I have a newborn so we buy everything from diapers to fishing gear—it’s a one stop shop.”
The Exchange started the project in 2018. The project was funded by the Exchange, with the garrison supporting with $457,000 for the Military Clothing store, and U.S. Army Medical Command funding the $928,000 satellite pharmacy in the mall.
“Because of pandemic delays and other unforeseen challenges, this project has been three years in the making,” Beatty said. “These improvements bring an improved and modern shopping experience to the Exchange, making this nearly 296,000-square-foot shopping center look and feel like a store our customers would see outside the gate.”
Other improvements to the shopping experience include new flooring and lighting as well as a refreshed mall area with a new Military Clothing store; beauty, barber and optical shops; eyebrow threading service; U.S. Patriot Tactical; GNC; Wireless Advocates; a watch and jewelry repair store; Soleil Nail and Spa; The UPS Store; GameStop; Turkish Carpets and Gifts; Auntie Anne’s; a new Class Six and more.
Military shoppers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord can also look forward to dining at the new Sarku/Ming Tree. Construction on a Wahlburgers location is also underway.
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Congratulations Lewis Exchange Team!