Portsmouth Navy Exchange, located at Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Scott Center Annex, opened its doors to a newly-renovated barber shop Feb. 21.

The three-chair barber shop received a face-lift including all new equipment, walls, and flooring. Portsmouth NEX General Manager, Gene Varela, also said keeping the shop staffed with quality barbers is a top priority.

Although Hampton Roads has many options for military haircuts, the convenience of having one on base is important.

"This is a heavily used barber shop; we often have customers waiting," said Varela.

The renovation is part of the final phase leading to the completion of the entire renovation of the Portsmouth NEX. With the opening of the barber shop, overall renovations are now at 90 percent complete, said Varela.

The $2 million renovation of the Portsmouth NEX almost did not happen. Due to the stores location and low customer base it struggled for a number of years, said Varela.

"However, with the opening of the new commissary in 2013 it helped bring in more customers who, in turn, helped business," said Varela. "Since then, this store has won the Bingham Award three consecutive years which provided allowance for this renovation."

The Bingham Award recognizes excellence in customer service, operations, and management at NEX activities.

Before the renovation the store was analyzed for the products their customer base wanted. One of the major changes was moving the package store, which was formerly located separately at the gas station, into the main store.

The move proved successful as the package store is currently ranked in the top ten amongst all exchanges worldwide, said Varela.

"We moved in, in October and by January sales increased by 25 percent," he said.

Although there are larger Navy Exchanges in the surrounding area, Varela said he is committed to serving the customers in or around the Portsmouth area and getting them the merchandise they want, even if it is not located at the Portsmouth store.

"On a weekly basis, we work with the area exchanges to transfer merchandise to us and we will go pick it up for the customer," he said.

The main mission of the NEX is to provide authorized customers with quality goods and services at a savings. They also support Navy quality of life programs for active-duty military, retirees, Reservists, and their families. In fact, 70 percent of their profits go to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund, said Varela.

"I come from an outside retail background where we work hard to deliver profits for our stockholders," said Varela. "Here, our stockholders are the active-duty, Reservists, and retirees."

NNSY Department of Defense civilians are also authorized limited use of the Portsmouth NEX for consumables and non-alcoholic beverages.

The shipyard specializes in repairing, overhauling, and modernizing ships and submarines critical to national security.

The Portsmouth NEX provides some 10,000 employees of NNSY a quality, on-base option to shop and eat close to work. This, in turn, contributes to a positive operational outcome as the work conducted helps get ships back to sea, supporting freedom and democracy around the globe.

"It was impressive to me when I joined this company four years ago," said Varela. "The people who work for the NEX work just as hard as those on the outside, but for very different reasons."

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For more news from Norfolk Naval Shipyard, visit www.navy.mil/.