STUTTGART, Germany — The Army and Air Force Exchange Service will open a mini-mall this summer on Patch Barracks that will consolidate many of the base’s existing shops.
Renovation on the existing food court building, where the mini-mall will be housed, is scheduled for completion in June, AAFES officials said.
The building will have a larger dining area with a glass atrium replacing the outdoor seating area with 100 more seats. Eateries will include a Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell and a new coffee shop and bakery.
The mall also will house barber and beauty shops, a car rental station, laundry and dry cleaning services, an alterations shop, a lounge for the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program and an ATM.
“Our goal is to make it a one-stop shop,” said David Leon, the AAFES-Europe food business manager. “It will be more convenient to our customers and that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
Anthony’s Pizza will no longer be offered on Patch Barracks, but pizza will continue to be served at the concessions area in Patch Movie Theater.
Starting Jan. 11, the food court will close until the renovations are complete. During this time, a Subway and a Burger King Express will be located in front of the theater or in the theater’s concessions stand. The theater will add 55 seats to accommodate extra customers.
AAFES officials say the project, funded jointly by the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart and Stuttgart Department of Public Works at a cost of $2 million, will not eliminate any parking spaces, which are already in short supply.
Once the mini-mall opens, the Army will demolish the building currently housing Subway, the barber shop and beauty shop.
“If they are going to tear down the Subway building, I suggest making a new parking lot,” Patch resident Megan Carney said. “We need more places to park more than we need more fast-food places to eat.”
