Serving more than 25,000 soldiers and civilians as well as nearly 120,000 retirees on a daily basis, Fort Lewis is like its own small city.

And like every city, it has a wide variety of services for consumers.

The main attraction is the Post Exchange, which recently became one of two installations in the Army to add an Apple Concept Shop as part of the new “Power Zone” inside the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s main store.

“It’s part of our effort to bring even more choices and service to our customers,” said Patrick McGhee, AAFES manager at Fort Lewis. “It won’t be a full-fledged Apple Store like you see off post because we don’t have quite that kind of space, but it’s going to have bits and pieces of the big store.”

The Apple Concept Shop also has knowledgeable associates as well as the main Apple fixture products such as iPods and Macbooks.

Recent additions to the Gateway Mini Mall on Fort Lewis include Enterprise Car Rental and Brigade Quartermaster locations.

The post also features the Pet Brigade, the only full pet service facility located on Fort Lewis. It offers dog and cat boarding, doggie daycare, grooming and training. It’s also the only kennel in the United States that is privately owned and operated located on a military post. The facility has indoor, temperature-controlled rooms which provide clean and comfortable accommodations for dogs and cats. The stainless steel enclosures feature drainage systems and a heating and cooling system that keeps dogs at a comfortable 58 to 60 degrees with a 90 percent fresh air exchange.

All staff members are also accredited kennel technicians trained in how to handle all behaviors and breeds of dogs, said manager Desiree Kennedy.

“This is a very hands-on, interactive facility, so we give the dogs a full schedule of activities,” she said.

That usually includes — weather permitting — four to six hours of play for dogs outside, she said.

Customers can also schedule grooming and boarding appointments online.

And for those who might need to service their car after relocating to Fort Lewis, Firestone (located on post) offers everything from oil changes, brake repair, heating and cooling system maintenance, steering and suspension tune-ups to mounting and balancing tires, suspension and alignment repair, and battery diagnostics and replacement.

“We’re well tied-in with AAFEES, so customers are familiar with seeing our locations at posts all around the nation,” said Michael Zahringer, manager at the Fort Lewis location. “We offer nationwide warranties, we’re convenient, we accept the STAR card and we’re here to stay.”