Shoppette implements hour change

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adam Grant
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The shoppette, once open 24 hours a day, will modify its hours July 3, in an attempt to lower operating costs during hours of minimal customer traffic.

"The shoppette will now be closed from 1 to 5 a.m." said Andy Louder, Ellsworth Army and Air Force Exchange Service general manager. "This change is mainly due to the lack of customer usage from 1 to 5 a.m., where the average number of customers shopping was an all time low of six."

Hour change plans have been in the works since earlier this year.

"Nearly four to five weeks ago, I proposed the idea of cutting back the hours of the shoppette due to low customer numbers," Mr. Louder said. "On July 3, the hour change will go into full effect and will be permanent."

Although the changes are taking effect, the shoppette will exercise hour flexibility depending on base conditions.

"We will respond to conditions that cause us to change hours for any form of training, or exercise held at Ellsworth," Mr. Louder said.

Despite store hours changing, the shoppette will still have 24-hour fueling on pumps one and two. Both pumps accept credit and debit cards. The lights in the canopy above will be lit to direct customers to these pumps.

Our goal is to do our best to provide service to the community, said Alice Curtiss, shoppette manager.

"The vision of the shoppette is to be the first choice of customers, by providing high-quality goods and services at the lowest cost," Mr. Louder said. "This hour change will enable us to do so."