Fort Stewart Exchange Welcomes Veteran-Owned Favorites

In brief:

• The Fort Stewart Exchange welcomed its first combined Nine Line Apparel and Black Rifle Coffee Company location with a grand opening attended by more than 100 guests.
• The Veteran-owned brands offer specialty coffee, breakfast items, military-inspired apparel and gear in one convenient location.

A line of eager Fort Stewart shoppers formed early to celebrate the arrival of the first Nine Line Apparel and Black Rifle Coffee Company at the Exchange.

More than 100 guests attended the grand opening late last month, where Nine Line Apparel owner Tyler Merritt and Black Rifle Coffee Company co-founder Jarred Taylor joined Col. William Weaver, Fort Stewart garrison commander, Fort Stewart Exchange General Manager Bettina Ciciriello-Frederick and Fort Stewart Exchange Services Business Manager Angela Crowell held a ribbon cutting to welcome the concept.

“The strong turnout showed how excited the Fort Stewart community was to welcome these brands to the Exchange,” Crowell said. “Nine Line Apparel and Black Rifle Coffee Company share a special connection to the military as Veteran-owned brands that understand the service of Soldiers and their families.”

The first 50 people in line received a free tumbler and a year of free brewed coffee. Guests were also treated to coffee tastings and samples of food items, including brownies and muffins.

Celebrating the grand opening of Nine Line Apparel and Black Rifle Coffee Company at Fort Stewart are, from left: Fort Stewart Exchange General Manager Bettina Ciciriello-Frederick; Nine Line Apparel owner Tyler Merritt; Col. William Weaver, Fort Stewart garrison commander; Black Rifle Coffee Company co-founder Jarred Taylor; and Fort Stewart Exchange Services Business Manager Angela Crowell.

The new offerings expand the Exchange’s selection of convenient dining and shopping options for the Fort Stewart community.

“Soldiers and their families have told us they value having convenient options right here on Fort Stewart,” Crowell said. “Convenient access to everyday services makes a difference when you have a busy schedule. Shoppers don’t have to travel off post or wait for an online order.”

Black Rifle Coffee Company serves premium coffee, including nitro cold brew on tap and specialty drinks. Shoppers can also order breakfast items, including bagel and croissant sandwiches. At Nine Line Apparel, shoppers can find clothing and merchandise that reflects pride in military service.

“We’ve been interested in bringing Nine Line Apparel to the Fort Stewart Exchange for several years,” Crowell said. “When a former manager joined, we were able to visit the Savannah store and meet the owner, who embraced the idea and suggested to include Black Rifle Coffee Company to create a one-stop shop for apparel, gear and coffee.”

Nine Line Apparel, a Veteran-owned apparel brand, has partnered with Black Rifle Coffee Company, a Veteran-founded coffee company, to sell Black Rifle coffee alongside apparel in several Nine Line locations. The combined stores served Black Rifle Coffee Company drinks in addition to Nine Line apparel and gear.

“That connection to service gives Nine Line Apparel and Black Rifle Coffee Company a firsthand understanding of the demands of military life,” Crowell said. “Fort Stewart shoppers appreciate the opportunity to support a Veteran-owned business that speaks directly to their experiences. It is another way for Soldiers and families to feel connected to the community they serve, which makes it a meaningful addition to the Exchange.”