Air Force Shuts Down Community Staple Shop In Colorado

Without warning, the Air Force Academy has ordered its spouse club thrift shop to close. This has left the staff bewildered and in demand of answers. A spokesman for the Academy told MilitaryTimes that the installation commander had the authority to close the shop but did not provide any specific answers or a reason the shop is closing. The shop is set to permanently close on March 31.

Navy Names New Nuclear Submarine After Former Navy Secretary

According to MilitaryTimes,

“After evaluating emerging mission and space requirements and upon review of a request by the Academy Spouses Club to pause operations at their thrift shop, the installation commander exercised his authority to cease thrift shop operations in order to best serve mission needs,” Air Force Academy spokesman Dean J. Miller emailed, explaining the decision by Air Base Wing commander, Col. Christopher J. Leonard.

The thrift shop, and its parent organization the Academy Spouses Club, had asked the Academy to pause the shop’s operation as they attempted to reconfigure to comply with changes in Colorado law on private businesses that operate on military bases. Though instead, on February 23rd they were given the order to close down.

New Policy May Change Cadet Parent Lives’ As School Takes Session This Fall

This is devastating to military families on the base. As many relied on the shop to make a little extra cash selling used items or being able to buy used goods cheaper. The thrift shop also donated roughly $20,000 a year to fund scholarships for military families and donated to local charities for the local school and fire department. All of which will be lost as a result of the closure.

The shop has been in operation for more than 50 years, though now as they close the community loses a staple shop. Many in the community feel a sense of “shock” and “sadness” as they watch the community shop go.

Gwen Stokes