Nancy O’Nell, Defense Commissary Agency public affairs specialist

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.”

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DeCA Photo/Janice Coleman

Large refrigerators and freezers stand ready to display club pack-sized products as the March 7 opening day approaches for the McChord Field Commissary’s new warehouse shopping section. Named “Commissary Club” by the Defense Commissary Agency, the renovated 10,000-square-foot area of the commissary warehouse is dedicated to club packs and other oversized-packaged products commonly found in commercial warehouse club stores. The new store format at McChord Field is the first of its kind.

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Authorized patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. By shopping regularly in the commissary, patrons save an average of 30 percent or more on their purchases compared to commercial prices – savings amounting to thousands of dollars annually. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

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