Food court to close Sept. 3 for renovations Published Sept. 1, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The food court -- consisting of fast-food restaurants Charley's Steakery, Robin Hood and Anthony's Pizza -- will close Sept. 3 for about three months to accommodate renovations, said Patricia Austin, general manager of Maxwell AFB/Ft. Rucker Consolidated Exchange. While the food court is closed, AAFES will fill the grub gap by bringing mobile food concessions to the base exchange parking lot and adding additional staff to Burger King, said Ms. Austin. Seafood vendor Catfish One and Mexican food vendor El Cancun will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at least one of the two vendors will be serving from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, said Michael Peters, base exchange visual merchandiser and public affairs representative. The food court renovations are part of an about $9 million base exchange renovation that will lead to the opening of new shopping and eating venues while enhancing aesthetics. Popular eateries Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Taco Bell Express will join the food court lineup, with Popeyes replacing the now-closed Manchu Wok and Robin Hood and Anthony's Pizza combining to make room for Taco Bell. In addition, a coffee vendor will emerge from what is now a mud pit at the front of the base exchange, and GameStop, a video game store, will be located where the engraver's shop is currently located, across from the optical center and near the mailboxes, said Mr. Peters. The main store is "increasing the sales floor by 15-20 percent," with the annex moving back into the store to make it more "a one-stop shopping experience," said Mr. Peters. The work, which started early this year and will be ongoing through the rest of the year, has suffered from "some unforeseen delays," said Ms. Austin. The upgrade of the main store is well under way and scheduled to be finished by Nov. 15, the week before Thanksgiving, said Ms. Austin. Work on the outdoor area is done, and the electronics area is near completion. Visitors to the main store "will start to see a big difference in the next weeks," Mr. Peters said. The renovation of the current base exchange restrooms will begin in about two weeks, Ms. Austin said. The new restrooms in the food court seating area will be available while the other restrooms are closed. Work on the Popeyes and GameStop will be ongoing during the holiday season, with both venues opening sometime after the new year, she noted. "The mall vendors will continue to be renovated up to Thanksgiving and then the contractors will work behind the scenes on the Popeye's Chicken and GameStop during the holiday selling season," said Ms. Austin. "They will pick up the mall vendors again right after Christmas and continue until complete." During the mall renovation they will close one concession at a time for renovation, said Mrs. Austin, with each shop moving into another location while their area is being renovated. They are currently working on the order of the renovation. To facilitate the work to the concession areas, the barbershop has moved near the military clothing and Class Six stores for the foreseeable future, said Mr. Peters. The end result will be well worth the temporary inconvenience, he said. Once complete, the overall appearance of the food court will be modernized from ceiling to floor. "In the end, it will be a much, much better shopping experience for everyone involved," he said.