“Your friendly, neighborhood commissary person here…” If you have spent any amount of time on unofficial Minot AFB-affiliated social media, you have most likely come across these words. What follows could be anything from an update as to newly arrived specialty items, information about where someone can find their left-behind wallet, or even a simple shout-out to the local community for maintaining their composure during a particularly hectic winter weather shopping frenzy. The person behind these posts? Carol Theran, Air Force spouse and, for two and a half years now, Commissary employee.
The origin story behind these updates is fairly straight forward: a desire to keep the community informed of the Commissary’s hours. “People travel far to get to us” shared Carol, “knowing if we’re open/closed or any changes in our hours helps them decide when or if they’ll make the trip.” As we head into the season of winter weather and holidays it’s easy to get these confused. There are always a few people who forget that the Commissary is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Similarly, when the white stuff hits and the base closes, it’s useful to know that so will the Commissary. However, since individuals getting off of work early due to inclement weather often need to do some last minute shopping, they usually attempt to stay open an extra hour or so past when the base let’s people head home. While it can be frustrating to have a more limited window to shop, it’s important to remember that our Commissary employees have to be able to make it home safely as well. No one wants a repeat of February 1997, when the night-crew ended up stuck inside of the store for three days straight!
Questions about special orders are also popular on social media. Japanese yams, dragonfruit and entire pigs’ legs are just some examples of things available due to customer requests. “When you come in, ask any cashier or the person at self-checkout for a special order form,” advised Carol. She suggested including as much detail as possible, such as brand name or quantity. Most importantly she reminded, “put at least your first name and a good contact number so they can contact you back.”
There are a few other services our local Commissary offers year round that are particularly helpful during the holidays. Need to feed a crowd? Sandwich, fruit, and veggie platters or the ever-popular charcuterie board can be ordered to your exact specifications. Looking for a cut of meat but don’t see it? From thinly slicing steak for bulgogi to requesting a particular grade and weight of Prime Rib to placing a bulk order – customers need only ring the service bell and ask.
In addition to these services, holiday specialty items have started to trickle in. Some will continue to be available all season (and, in the case of Christmas candy, go on sale for half price the day after Christmas,) while others, such as a particular brand of egg nog or the very well-hidden German Gingerbread tins, may be in more limited supply. You can find these items scattered throughout the store, but particularly on the end caps and by the bulk goods near check-out.
For some members of the community the holiday displays represent a season of bounty while for others they can exacerbate existing needs. For those who feel able, the Commissary offers many opportunities to give. The First Sergeants have a collection box by the store entrance that can be filled with anything from non-perishable food items to diapers and formula. Additionally, customers can purchase gift cards for donation or buy a turkey or ham to be set aside for someone else’s holiday meal. Among the most giving Commissary patrons: local retirees, whose generosity demonstrates the strength of their continued attachment to our military community.
When asked what she felt set Minot apart from other places she has lived or worked, Carol observed that “it feels like a tighter community because of the remote location.” Taking her insider knowledge and cheerful attitude to social media has helped grow that community. Her posts are refreshing because they turn the online spaces associated with our base into places of access. Not just to their commissary lady or even a fellow mil spouse in the trenches, but to a warm-hearted neighbor.
