The transformation of the Fort McCoy Exchange is nearing completion as the major renovation project enters its final phase, bringing a modernized shopping experience to Soldiers, military families, retirees and other authorized customers.
The project, which began earlier in 2026, was approximately 85 percent complete as of Aug. 27, according to Jesse Chamberlain, assistant store manager for the Fort McCoy Exchange. Chamberlain provided the latest update during the Fort McCoy Garrison Town Hall on Aug. 27 in Building 905 at Fort McCoy.
The Fort McCoy Exchange has remained open throughout the renovation, allowing customers to continue shopping while contractors have worked through multiple phases of construction.
The project includes new polished concrete flooring, new fixtures, a redesigned store layout, updated checkout areas and improvements to the Express and food-service areas.
The renovation is now moving into its final stages.
Phase 4 work, which includes continued work on the center portion of the main sales floor and the end of the sales floor, was scheduled for completion Aug. 28.
The project will then move into Phase 5, which includes punch-list and closeout work scheduled from Sept. 3 through Oct. 30.
“We’re hoping to have everything done before November 1st,” Chamberlain said.
A grand-opening event is anticipated for mid-November, although an exact date had not been established as of the Aug. 27 town hall.
The final phase will include identifying and correcting remaining punch-list items, completing outstanding installations, finishing the alterations area, completing the barbershop and restoring presentation standards throughout the facility.
Chamberlain said the project represents more than simply giving the store a new appearance. “The goal is not to simply have a newly remodeled Exchange,” Chamberlain said. “Our goal is to provide Fort McCoy with better customer service, stronger operations and a facility positioned to better support the Soldier, their family, our retirees and our civilian employees.”
Changes taking shape
The completed Fort McCoy Exchange will feature a substantially different interior layout.
One of the most noticeable changes will be the centralized checkout area, which is planned to include four self-checkout registers and two staffed registers.
The new configuration is designed to provide a more open and convenient checkout experience. The project also removes the existing separation between portions of the Express and main Exchange, creating a more open configuration and allowing the Exchange to better integrate merchandise and services.
The food, snack and beverage area was an early priority in the renovation because of the large number of Soldiers who visit Fort McCoy for training.
The facility's flooring, which was more than 20 years old, is being replaced with polished concrete designed to provide a smoother and more modern surface.
The renovation also includes new fixtures and updated presentation areas throughout the store. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize Exchange facilities and improve the services available to military communities.
Supporting Fort McCoy community
The Fort McCoy Exchange modernization represents an investment in a heavily used quality-of-life facility at one of the Army Reserve’s major training installations, exchange officials noted.
Fort McCoy supports thousands of Soldiers who come to the installation for training, mobilization and other military missions. The Exchange provides those Soldiers and the broader Fort McCoy community with access to merchandise, food and other services during their time on the installation.
Chamberlain also reminded the Fort McCoy workforce about expanded shopping privileges for eligible Department of Defense civilian employees.
Government civilian employees with qualifying identification are authorized to shop at the Fort McCoy Exchange both in person and online.
The expanded privileges provide another benefit to Fort McCoy’s large civilian workforce.
The Fort McCoy Exchange complex provides a variety of services beyond traditional retail shopping, including Military Clothing Sales, Express, a gas station, Class Six sales, food services, alterations, barber services, and other customer services.
As the renovation enters its final weeks, customers will continue to see construction activity throughout portions of the store.
Chamberlain thanked the Fort McCoy community for its patience and support during the renovation and said the Exchange team is looking forward to completing the project.
The modernization is intended to provide more than a new appearance. Once complete, the renovated facility will provide Fort McCoy with an updated retail environment designed to improve customer service and better support Soldiers, families, retirees and civilian employees. The Fort McCoy Exchange is located in Building 1538.
Learn more about the Fort McCoy Exchange by visiting online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy/my-fort/all-services/fort-mccoy-exchange. Also check https://www.shopmyexchange.com/store-locator/ft-mccoy.