Fort Wainwright Exchange Hosts ‘Triple Play’ Grand Re-Opening, Celebrating Three Significant Upgrades
The Fort Wainwright Exchange hosted a “Triple Play” grand re-opening to celebrate nearly $17 million in upgrades across the PX.
The upgrades bring the most up-to-date shopping experience, dining options and Quality-of-Life improvements to Soldiers, families, personnel and visitors to one of the Army’s most remote locations. The Fairbanks, Alaska, post is home to about 5,500 Soldiers, 8,500 military family members and nearly 4,000 civilians and contractors.
Ribbon- and cake-cutting ceremonies were held throughout the morning of Oct. 9 at the main store, the Express and Burger King. Deputy to the Garrison Commander Richard Fromm, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Roberto Franco, Exchange Western Region Vice President Carrie Cammel and Wainwright Exchange General Manager Bonnie Jean Lindahl helped usher in the new experience.
“We are honored to celebrate this ‘triple play’ of upgrades across the installation,” Lindahl said. “These necessary projects were all initiated with the sole focus of bringing the absolute best to the service members, families and other personnel who call Fort Wainwright home.
“These improvements and the best tastes of home will go a long way in serving the best customers in the world.”
The main PX is home of $12 million in upgrades to the main store, mall and food court. The main store received flooring, lighting and fixtures, upgraded Exchange branding on interior walls and a self-checkout center. Diners can enjoy an upgraded seating area and wall charging units in the food court along with renovated bathrooms and new graphic additions throughout the dining area and mall of the Arctic Angels.
Multiple departments offered promotions to shoppers, including 25% off fishing gear and select Clinique beauty products, along with discounts on Belleville boots and giveaways at the Military Clothing store. Buy-one-get-one-free deals were also offered at Popeyes and Starbucks.
Celebrating the grand re-opening of the Fort Wainwright main store are, from left, Food Court Manager Martha Loving; Western Region Vice President Carrie Cammel; Deputy Garrison Commander Richard Fromm; Military Clothing Store Manager Kristen Lawson; Main Store Manager Maria Cruz; General Manager Bonnie Jean Lindahl; Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Roberto Franco; Services Business Manager Patricia Heisman; and Assistant Food Court Manager Armando Bernal.
The Wainwright Express received $2.5 million in upgrades including an expanded Snack Avenue and new Hunt Brothers Pizza, new walk-in cooler, upgrades to flooring, lighting and fixtures and self-checkout kiosks.
Free Hunt Brothers Pizza slices, samplings from Monster and Coca-Cola, spin-the-wheel for free roller grill items, drinks and other merchandise were offered. Shoppers could also enter for more prizes, including golf bags, coolers and a fire pit.
Fort Wainwright’s Burger King received more than $2 million in upgrades, which modified and replaced exterior building materials, roofing, signage and drive-thru windows to match the latest brand standards. Inside, all dining room finishes and ceilings were replaced along with bathroom renovations and new plumbing fixtures.
Attendees enjoyed free food coupons, spin-the-wheel for instant Exchange gift card prizes and the chance to enter for grand prizes including game consoles and virtual reality headsets provided by Burger King.
