Ribbon is cut for renovated NEX student store

Naval Station sailors will now be shopping at a roomy newly renovated Navy Exchange Student Store where aisles are wider, electronic and uniform departments are expanded, food area is enlarged, and counters and flooring have been replaced. The renovation of the 53,000 square-foot sales area was completed at a cost of approximately $750,000, considered a minor project amount by the Navy Exchange Service Command.
    "As this is the first Navy Exchange that most enlisted sailors will experience, you could almost call this store 'The Quarterdeck of the NEX,'" said Capt. John Malfitano, commanding officer, Naval Station Great Lakes, speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the refurbished store on Sept. 14.
    Welcoming Rear Adm. (Sel.) Glenn C. Robillard, commander, Navy Exchange Command; Gary King, senior vice president, Continental United States Navy Exchange Service Command; and NEX personnel, the captain noted that, "For enlisted sailors the journey begins right here at Great Lakes. These new sailors arrive here right out of boot camp. They are new to the experience of shopping at the NEX.
    "It is not only their privilege but their right to shop at this exchange," Malfitano said. "It is one of the great benefits that we receive for wearing the uniform." And having a facility such as the student store to shop in makes the benefit even better, the captain added.
    "The new, more open layout of the store will significantly improve the NEX's ability to generate a good first impression for our newest sailors," Malfitano said.
    He expressed appreciation to Navy Exchange General Manager Rick Pimentel, Store Division Manager Terry Risteen, and NEX associates, "For all they do to make the sailors feel at home at the student store, to improve their quality of life."
    "It is really invigorating to see this Navy Exchange," said Robillard, who was making his first visit to naval station. "It is a thrill and an honor to be here where recruits start their Navy career. This is a very exciting time. There is so much energy and enthusiasm about setting up a new store. This is really an example of our dedication to modernize our stores.
    "Many of your renovations are phenomenal," he told store personnel. "Students will feel the energy when they come in. It is state-of-the-art and they want that. We're trying to delight our customers."
    The admiral noted that the NEX renovation was a team effort and that "Community support is critical in this kind of project."
    Explaining that the Student Store opened in November of 2000, King said that the renovation began in February of this year and was completed in August.
    "This store is really built for the students," he said. "All improvements are made for the young sailors. This building is state-of-the-art. There are vast open spaces and wider aisles, state-of-the-art fixtures, new brands of clothing for young people. Everything we've done in the store is based on customer feedback."
    King said that the NEX has three core values: "caring, committed, and connected to the sailor."
    Pimentel emphasized that there were many people to thank for their support of the NEX project, "Including the admiral select for coming here; Captain Malfitano for supporting us; Captain Olinger [Capt. Caroline Olinger, commanding officer, Training Support Center], truly a supporter; the XO [Cmdr. Robert Sullivan, NAVSTA executive officer], and the command master chief [CMDCM(SW/AW) Leon Walker, NAVSTA.]"
    The NEX manager expressed appreciation to all NEX personnel including Jeff Dougall, general manager for the student store; Bill Griffen, visual manager; Kathy Richards, Recruit Training Command NEX general manager; Roland Santos, district manager; the facilities team, "And our associates aboard the exchange who really make me look good.  Everyone played a huge role in making my job  easier," Pimentel said.