Fort Hood Mall: 265,000 SF of amenities for troops, families

FORT HOOD – The new 265,000-sf Fort Hood Mall — set to open August 27, 2015 — has an estimated cost of $47 million and will raise the bar when it comes to post exchanges (PXs).

The new store will be one of the world’s largest PX, the current largest PX being at Fort Campbell, Ky., with 165,000 sf.

It’s all part of a growing trend in the all-volunteer military: provide for the families as well as the soldiers. And it goes well beyond the 30 eateries on post, which include Dunkin’ Donuts, Popeyes, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Captain D’s, Baskin-Robbins, Einstein Bros. Bagels and three Burger Kings.

According to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, the new PX currently under construction across the street from the current Clear Creek Main Exchange will more than double the size of the older one.

It’s bigger and will have more individual stores inside it than Fort Hood’s other two PXs: the Clear Creek Main Exchange and the Warrior Way Specialty Center.

By comparison, Walmart Supercenters have an average size of 197,000 sf.

Despite a troop population that has decreased in recent years, Fort Hood still maintains two commissaries, 21 retail stores and 84 long-term concession stores, which include everything from barber shops to small vendors selling board games, officials said.

Schools, swimming pools, banks and a Holiday Inn dot the installation as well.

Read more at the Fort Hood Herald and the Killeen Daily Herald.

The 2015 Fort Hood Economic Impact Fact Sheet is available here.