Friday, May 09, 2008

New supply store officially open for business

Photo by Marny Malin-Cheryl Malloy and Angela O’Neal, Capitol District Contracting Center Agency program coordinators and Judy Williams, Headquarters Battalion S-4, learn from Helen Millner, manager, Fort Lee Base Supply Store, how the new Fort Belvoir Self-Supply Store works.

A new self-service supply store opened its doors to the Belvoir community on Monday. 

Located in building 708 along Dalrymple Road, the store is operated by the Virginia Industries for the Blind, a non-profit organization that offers vocational opportunities to individuals who are blind or vision-impaired.

With brand-name office supplies throughout the store, operations manager James Meehan is expecting a positive response from the public. The installation’s previous supply store closed nearly a decade ago.

“Everyone who has come in has been very receptive and happy to see a store like this back at Fort Belvoir,” Meehan said on the first day of business. “In addition to what’s here, we’ll also be getting products based on the demands from our customers. We want this to be the one place that meets all government employee needs.”

According to Meehan, the store is not only good for Belvoir, but for those who will be working there. Part of VIB’s mission is to employ visually-handicapped individuals. Meehan said its part of their rehabilitation back into the community and a tremendous lift for one’s self-esteem. The organization plans on employing seven individuals at its Belvoir location.

“It looks like a great store and just what this area needs,” said Cheryl Malloy, a program coordinator for the Capitol District Contracting Center. “It has a wide range of products and a real friendly staff. I would definitely recommend it to people.”

The new self-service supply store will be open Mondays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s closed Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone looking to purchase items from the store must have a government-only credit card. The store will not conduct personal sales. For more information, visit http://www.vdbvi.org.