AAFES opens new complex this weekend Published Feb. 7, 2008 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AFB, MISS -- The long-awaited new Army and Air Force Exchange Service car care center and shoppette complex opens 9 a.m. Friday. "AAFES spent about $3.8 million on this project," said Penny Madison, AAFES general manager at Keesler. "We'll have 28 employees there, in addition to vendor employees." Construction on the facility at the corner of Meadows Drive and Larcher Boulevard began in April 2006. Included are a four-bay automobile service center, 20-pump gas station, shoppette, Class VI store, Enterprise Car Rental and a four-chair barber shop. "We are in the process of re-soliciting for a food vendor," Ms. Madison stated. Today, the Air Force's monster truck is on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to gear up for the grand opening. The truck is scheduled to compete in a monster truck event at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum this weekend. Friday's celebration begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Col. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander. Giveaways and special offers are planned during the day. "We're giving away a five-pound Hershey bar and offering specials on M&Ms and Mars candy and other products," Ms. Madison said. "We'll have wine tasting and drawings for a Jack Daniels barrel, a Crown Royal checkerboard table and gift cards." A tent sale features specials on tires from various manufacturers. Food coupons for the Pecan Food Court are also given away. Sprint, Enterprise and the barber shop have free gifts for shoppers. The Miller Girls and the Energizer Bunny are on hand to welcome customers, and the base's U-Haul store is setting up inflatable jumpers for children and providing free popcorn and cotton candy. Store hours: Car care center -- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Shoppette/Class VI -- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Barber shop -- 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Enterprise -- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; closed Sunday.