Osan's Exchange celebrates Brand Opening

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Osan Exchange opened its doors after completing six months of upgrades and renovations Nov. 16, 2012.

The upgrades include a new floor plan that would offer more room for products, and putting in a new Chinese restaurant to the food court.

"Everything we've done to the Exchange has been to serve you because you serve," said Steve Pena, Osan and Camp Humphreys Exchange general manager during an Exchange preview a day before the opening.

The Brand Opening included door prizes and giveaways all day. Tickets were drawn for customers to win prizes to include TVs, a blu-ray player and other electronics, and sales were available in all departments. Performances by Korean rap stars, Tasha Reid, or Yoon Mirae, and Tiger J.K., or Drunken Tiger, and a Korean folk dancing team entertained the crowds.

Plans for the rebranding started May 14, 2012, with the construction starting soon after. The grand opening wasn't scheduled until the end of November, but opened a few weeks early.

"The Exchange never closed during the entire rebranding process," said Lt. Col. Kristin McCoy, Exchange's Pacific Region commander. "Employees came in early and left late to get everything done on time. We hope everyone enjoys the upgrades."

The reorganized Exchange is broken down into three sections: Style, Life and Home. The organization now makes it easier to shop, explained Qiana Lenard, Exchange regional brand manager for the Pacific. A reoccurring theme through the store is "one-stop shop."

"This is really a beautiful store," said Gregory Porter, Exchange Pacific region facility and project assistant manager. "We are ahead of the power curve with our upscale look. Our Exchange is leading the way in industry standard for other state-side retail outlets."

Osan is the first base in Pacific Air Forces to receive the upgrade. Tinker Air Force Base was the first base in the Air Force to receive the upgrade in 2010. Plans have been made to rebrand all Exchanges world-wide.