ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Andrews Commissary recently held an on-site sale at the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg, W.Va., in an effort to offer military members price savings.
Over 800 customers took part in the sale and, with many bulk items to choose from, saved anywhere from 40 to 60 percent versus shopping from businesses in the local community.
"Seven other Andrews commissary employees and I set up shop in a hangar for our customers' convenience," explained Rena M. Dial, Andrews Commissary store director. "It took us eight hours, but we were ready to serve our customers. We set up sections just like we have at our commissary - we had a grocery section, a produce section and meat section. We also had samples and giveaways for our customers."
Giveaways at the makeshift commissary included a 35-inch television and gift cards.
"The commissary sale brought a lot of excitement," Ms. Dial said. "The Guard's hospitality was awesome and the commissary customers were awesome - they were so appreciative."
Onsite vendor demonstrations added to the shopping experience for commissary customers.
Wing leadership was very grateful for the on-site commissary sale.
"Colonel Roger Nye, [167 AW commander], was very appreciative of Andrews doing this joint venture with their airlift wing," Ms. Dial said. "Chief Master Sgt. John Alderton, [167 AW command chief], stated the sale went well and officials hope an on-site sale could be held twice a year."
The only hitch in the sale was a technical glitch with the registers, but that was repaired in short order.
Overall the day was a success with customers saving money and the Andrews commissary making $11,574.99 in meat sales, $2,214.48 in produce sales, $44,707.14 in grocery sales with a total sale of $58,496.58.