Shaw Air Base opens new store for airmen, soldiers

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AP) — Soldiers, airmen and their families at Shaw Air Force Base are getting a new $20 million shopping center that will offer them everything from car rentals to hunting gear.

Shaw spokeswoman 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski says the site opens Thursday morning. Blodzinski says it will help serve the more than 15,000 people based at the installation outside Sumter in central South Carolina.

The new exchange includes basics such as food and pharmacy, but also extra items such as furniture that can be used in the dormitories, a wide selection of electronics items and hunting gear. Services also include a barber shop, beauty shop, optical shop and rental cars.

The spokeswoman says the addition of the new shops created 49 jobs.