HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass., -- The Hanscom Base Exchange/mall and food court renovation continues to move forward, and upgrades are occurring on a regular basis. To date, contractors have made improvements to the public restrooms, the alterations/dry cleaners shop and the barbershop.
Currently, the contractors are working in the mall and food court area, most of which is sectioned off with dust curtains, causing uncertainty with some customers on which services are accessible and which are not.
“I know it’s been a little confusing,” said Tammy Toney, general manager, Hanscom Army and Air Force Exchange Service consolidated exchange. “But we are asking our patrons to be patient as we work through this project.”
Right now, Subway is closed, but will reopen during the first week of February. Dunkin’ Donuts and Froots are still open for regular business.
For those needing a trim, the barbershop is in a temporary location where GNC used to be. It has returned to regular hours of operation for all patrons. However, the barbers are serving only two customers at a time, and plastic curtains separate the chairs. Patrons have to sign in on a roster just outside the shop and can come inside when it is their turn.
“There is limited access into the main store and food court right now,” said Toney. “We are using the vestibule where the ATM is located as our only exit and entry into the main Base Exchange. There was some initial confusion, so we created direction signs to help navigate around the construction and get everyone into the facility safely.”
BX customers will have to deal with a few other inconveniences for now due to the construction. For instance, there are portable bathroom trailers located in the parking lot for customers to use because the bathrooms in the mall are closed for renovation.
The food court renovations are mostly cosmetic, but will be extensive. The ceiling will be lowered with new tiles, the concrete floors will be re-polished, LED lighting installed, and the court’s colors are going to be upgraded and changed.
Around the first week of February, the construction is going to migrate into some sections of the main BX store. This is because the feed for the power and fire suppression systems are in the back of the building. The contractors will be installing the wiring and conduits for those systems in the ceiling across the main store and into the mall area shops and the food court. Also, the main store and the Military Clothing section will be having cosmetic work done.
Toney said she’s not sure how long this phase will take, and acknowledged some delays.
“There have been some minor weather interruptions, but so far nothing major,” she said. “There are many variables in play, so the timeline is very fluid. But we’re still pressing forward, and there’s work being done every day.”
The AAFES gas station and the Class Six store will be moving to the new facility and combine into an Express Mart, much like a typical convenience store. It will feature “grab-and-go” snacks, quick convenience consumables, and wine, beer and liquor. The gas pumps will be located right outside in what is currently part of the parking lot. The permits for installing the new underground fuel tank for the gas station are approved and the tank is on site.
“It’s going to be a great one-stop shopping location for our patrons,” said Toney. “Everybody can get everything they might need in one place.”
The front half of the mall area will be dedicated to the new Express Mart, while the other side of the mall will have the barbershop, alterations/dry cleaners, public restrooms, and other services.
Toney said that the Hanscom community has been very supportive of the renovation project.
“For the most part everyone has been incredibly patient and say they are looking forward to using the new facilities,” she said. “There is a lot of work still left to be done, but we should have an overall finished product in all aspects by the end of 2021.”