Seattle — REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) plans to open new stores in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Medford, Ore., and relocate its current location in Cary, N.C.
Seattle — REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national retailer providing outdoor gear and clothing, plans to open new stores in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Medford, Ore., and relocate its current location in Cary, N.C.
Located at Rookwood Commons, the 22,000-square-foot REI Cincinnati will open in fall 2012 and is the co-op’s first location in Ohio. In Oregon, REI Medford’s 23,500-square-foot location will open next fall in Alba Village. Both stores will house bike, ski and snowboard shop services for quick assemblies and repairs, and a seasonal gear rental department for customers looking to test new activities.
Relocating its current store in Cary, N.C. from Crossroads Plaza to Devonshire Place in the spring of 2012 will allow REI to expand from approximately 21,000 square feet to 27,200 square feet. The larger footprint will allow the retailer to increase its product offerings in cycling, footwear and paddling. The Cary location joins stores in Durham, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C. The original Cary store opened in 1992.
Opening eight new stores in 2011, REI operates 122 retail stores in 29 states with two online stores: rei.com and REI-OUTLET.com. The new stores will join three additional 2012 store openings in Indianapolis, Ind. (opening in the spring); Oxnard, Calif.; and Woodbridge, Va. (both opening in the fall).