Seattle — Over the next 2 years, REI will open a new store in Fort Worth, Texas, in spring 2016 and relocate REI Rockville in spring 2017. Additionally, a flagship REI location is planned for Washington, D.C., in fall 2016.
The new locations will feature the top brands of outdoor gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, travel and paddling, and the stores’ bike shop will provide cyclists with expert assembly and repair services. The stores will also offer expert advice from in-store guides and expanded classes and programs through REI Outdoor School.
“We are always looking for new ways to help local communities get outside and play,” says Greg Medlyn, REI’s divisional vice president of retail.
The trailside, riverfront location of the new Fort Worth store will serve more than 3,000 active REI members in the area. The 24,500-square-foot store will be located at Waterside, a development committed to community and sustainability with several outdoor activity areas, including a trailhead with a bicycle repair and air station, chilled filtered water for re-fillable bottles, an internal trail system, paddling activities and an urban garden.
The Fort Worth store joins nearby stores in Southlake, Plano and Dallas.
REI Rockville will relocate to a larger store at Pike & Rose to expand its offerings to more than 52,000 active members in the region. The two-story, 36,000-square-foot store will be located less than 1 mile from the current location. The new location will also allow for quick and easy access to outdoor adventures with several trails and parks located within 3 miles, including the historic Rock Creek Park.
There are currently more than 215,000 co-op members in the greater Washington, D.C. area who visit stores at Tysons, College Park and Bailey’s Crossroads, in addition to the current Rockville location. A fifth store will open in the region in fall 2016 with the new flagship location at the historic Uline building in Washington, D.C.
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. REI has 142 stores in 33 states.
SOURCE: REI