The long-awaited commissary at Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy, opens Friday.

The high-tech commissary boasts more products, a full-scale deli, and a self-service checkout, officials said.

It’s also twice the size of the old one.

“[The old commissary] was an old building, … and last upgraded in 1991,” said Defense Commissary Agency spokeswoman Gerri Young. “They were doing business in a building that was not designed to be a commissary. It needed to be modernized and needed to be more efficient.”

Construction on the new facility started in December 2007 and cost more than $7.2 million. It offers more than 500 new products in every division, from an expanded selection of Asian and Hispanic foods, to more toilet paper brands and health and beauty products, said Giuseppe Ricci, store director.

Officials have planned for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Friday, after which customers will be treated to free hot dogs and drinks, special low prices on selected items, and the chance to win prizes.

Medical unit gets new commanderU.S. Army Medical Activity Bavaria held a change of command ceremony Wednesday at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany.

Dr. (Col.) Steven Brewster, the former director of epidemiology and disease surveillance at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine in Aberdeen, Md., assumed command from Col. Theresa Schneider. Brewster also will serve as chief of the U.S. Army Medical Specialist Corps.

Schneider is headed to Multi-National Force — Iraq, where she will serve as the force’s deputy surgeon.