Remote Training Area Opens Unmanned Retail Market to Serve Troops Around the Clock

The U.S. Army Garrison Devens Reserve Forces Training Area community can now get meals, snacks and beverages around the clock with the opening of the Exchange’s 24/7 unmanned retail market.

USAG Devens RFTA Commander Lt. Col. Josh Bloom joined Hanscom Consolidated Exchange General Manager Dale Killip in cutting the ribbon on the market Jan. 6 during a drill weekend.

“Fort Devens is in an isolated area with no restaurants in the area or 24-hour convenience stores,” Killip said. “Troops often arrive at Devens or complete their day’s training late at night, when the one nearby store outside the gates is closed, so we saw a need to provide food and drinks to the Soldiers and Marines coming back or coming in where they could purchase things that they need that they might have forgotten or just needing that late night meal.”

Cutting the ribbon on the new unmanned retail market for the U.S. Army Garrison Devens Reserve Forces Training Area community are, from left: Laurie Appugliese, vice president National Account Sales NE, Global Connect; D;ale Killip, general manager, Hanscom Consolidated Exchange; Michelle Aucoin, services business manager, Hanscom Consolidated Exchange; Lt. Col Joshua M. Bloom, Commander, USAG Fort Devens RFTA; and Erich Markee, president, LTD Refreshments.

There is always training happening at Fort Devens, according to Killip, with both the Army and Marine Corps conducting regular and weekend training. There are also civilians and contractors on the installation who will benefit from the unmanned retail market.

The market has a wide assortment of better-for-you options such as salads, fresh fruit and veggies, protein bars and more, as well as fresh coffee, lattes and hot chocolate. Given the installation’s remote location, the market also has an expanded selection of non-food essentials, including phone chargers, headphones, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and over-the-counter pain relievers.

The vendor for the market, Global Connect, features an app through which shoppers can not only pay, but make requests for certain items to be stocked.

“This unmanned retail market marks a vital improvement in the Quality of Life for the Devens community,” Killip said. “We’re happy that we can be there for the troops that need us.”