Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Marines and Marine Corps Community Service representatives gathered at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for the ribbon cutting of the new Marine Mart Feb. 22.

It was the grand opening for the second facility aboard the base, which will be the primary shopping mart for Marines to get uniform items, haircuts, equipment and a variety of other necessities. The original Marine Mart will be converted into a snack bar.

Marine Corps Special Operations Command Marines are the primary reason for the new mart coming into existence, said Robert Jones, the retail operations manager for all Marine Marts. Its purpose is to cater to the MARSOC Marines’ needs. The mart was designed with the thought of future expansion, but it’s not determined when the expansion will take place, said Jones.

A group of MARSOC Marines at the grand opening said they are glad that it’s closer to where they live, and are pleased with the bigger selection of items available and the extended business hours. The old mart was a half-mile walk away from where they live.

“It’s definitely going to be a lot better than walking in the rain from the barracks to the (old Marine Mart),” said Cpl. Adam Burnahm, a MARSOC Marine aboard Stone Bay.

Sgt. Maj. Toshia Sundermier, sergeant major of Weapons Training Battalion aboard Stone Bay, said they’re lucky to have the new facility, and she’s glad it’s there for the Marines.

“Everybody else in the Marine Corps has a (Marine Mart) close to them,” said Sundermier. “These Marines, all the way out here, didn’t have that, now they do.”