Base stores to close one day per week

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The sequester is set to shut the doors of commissaries on military bases around the world for an extra day per week.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DECA) issued a notice that all of its 250 stores worldwide will close on Wednesdays due to sequestration beginning the week of March 31 and lasting through September. The stores take in more than $6 billion in transactions annually.

Commissary workers WAVY.com spoke with Monday said they look at a furlough as the better option if a layoff is the only alternative left.

Local officials 10 On Your Side contacted Monday said they are aware of DECA's notice but have not received specific instructions yet.

"In the meantime, we're going to do our best to make sure that our agencies have the support they need to try to make some very difficult decisions, understanding that there are going to be families and communities that are hurting and that this will slow our growth," President Barack Obama said.

In a memo to all commissary employees, the DECA director called the move "unavoidable." DECA officials said they chose Wednesdays to shut the stores and headquarters because it's the slowest sales day of the week for all commissaries.