Taco Bell Express, renovations coming to Maxwell’s BX Published Nov. 6, 2009 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Shoppers and fast-food fans will benefit from the changes coming to the Maxwell Base Exchange next year. Renovations will include the addition of a Taco Bell Express, as well as modernization throughout the main store, mall and food court. The $9 million renovations are scheduled to begin on Jan. 4, 2010, with the project expected to last approximately nine months, according to Rachel Longoria, store manager of the main store. Robin Hood Deli and Anthony's Pizza will combine into one eatery, which will be the first item scheduled for renovations in the food court, said Patricia Austin, general manager of the Maxwell/Gunter/Fort Rucker Consolidated Exchange. The installation of the Taco Bell Express at the current location of Robin Hood will be the second item on the list. The opening date for Taco Bell Express is yet to be determined. In addition to the renovation of the food court's four eateries, the flooring, walls, ceilings, lights tables and chairs will be replaced with more modern materials.The glass brick at the food court entrance will be replaced with glass windows. The drink dispensing station will be moved to the wall opposite Manchu Wok, and restrooms will be installed at the food court so diners don't have to walk down to the other end of the mall to use the facilities there. The image upgrade for the main store will modernize the main store's flooring, walls, ceiling, restrooms and entrance, and in effect make the store more shopper-friendly. This includes getting rid of the "nooks and crannies," configuring the store into a big box to allow for better use of the store's space and take advantage of the average's shopper familiarity with the "big box" layout, said Colleen Provencher, sales and merchandise manager. And like the "big box" retailers such as Target and Home Depot, the main store will have a customer service area located in the front of the store instead of its current location at the back of the store, making it easier for shoppers to locate. The main aisle will also be wider. "The basic alignment of the store will remain the same," said Ms. Provencher, with some tweaking within the departments and some adjustment of the rows to maximize user-friendliness for shopper. "When you get into more of the details, that's when the changes will be visible," she said. The Power Zone will be updated with all the newest décor and fixtures, and the outdoor area, part of which has concrete flooring and part of which is a covered former parking area, will be massively improved. "The shopping experience will be equal to the standards of the rest of the store," she said. The main store has already moved linens and home décor to the BXtra in anticipation of the renovation, which will start with the outdoor living area. When the renovations are finished, linens and home décor will move back to the main store. The renovation will not be invisible to the shopper, but the main store management will work to keep the shopper's inconvenience to a minimum, said Ms. Provencher. The store will be renovated one area at a time, with the area under construction relocating to another area within the store to accommodate the work. Likewise, during renovation of the food court, one food concept at a time will be temporarily and briefly closed to accommodate construction, said Ms. Austin. She doesn't know how long each eatery will be closed for renovation but estimates it would be approximately one month.