White Sands Missile Range Celebrates Image Upgrade of Exchange Troop Store

The Exchange has ushered in a new era of shopping at White Sands Missile Range with the reopening of the updated Troop Store.

Senior Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner, Garrison Commander Col. Donyeill A. Mozer, Garrison Command  Sgt. Maj. Jamal N. Latore, Regional Vice President Christine Harlan, Exchange General Manager JoAnne Cahalan, Retail Business Manager Tina Bretz and Exchange Store Manager Venessa McQuage cut the ribbon of the newly remodeled building on May 14.

“This renovation is awesome,” Turner said. “Based on my research, there are roughly 100 PXs and BXs across the world, and this is the best one. Congratulations on a job well done.”

The $6.3 million image upgrade, which the Exchange did in partnership with the Army as part of the Exchange’s Quality-of-Life initiative for remote and isolated locations, is the first major renovation of the store in 26 years. The Army contributed more than $1.9 million to the reconstruction of the store, allowing authorized military shoppers—including active-duty service members, military families, retirees, service-connected disabled Veterans as well as DoD and Coast Guard civilians—to continue to shop, dine and come together while taking advantage of military-exclusive, tax-free prices.

“In partnership with the Army, we wanted to upgrade our troop store and Express to serve the community better,” Cahalan said at the reopening. “Today’s ceremony marks a significant step toward providing our community with improved retail, dining and convenience choices.”

Work on the renovation began in January 2024. The upgraded store also features a renovated sales floor, an expansion of Snack Avenue, new walk-in coolers and new graphics.

“We are proud to serve this community and provide them with an updated shopping experience,” Bretz said. “Because White Sands is a remote location, this renovation is a Quality-of-Life improvement that supports readiness and resiliency for all who shop, dine, work and live on the installation.”

Celebrating the grand reopening of the White Sands Missile Range Troop Store are, from left: Retail Business Manager Tina Bretz, Regional Vice President Christine Harlan, Command  Sgt. Maj. Jamal N. Latore, PV2 Ben Lensing, White Sands Missile Range Senior Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner, Store Manager Venessa McQuage and General Manager JoAnne Cahalan. (Photo by Vanessa Flores, White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs)