REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a national retailer providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced plans to open a new store in Olympia, Wash. in the spring of 2011. The two-story, 25,000 square-foot store will be located off Cooper Point Road at Westfield Capital Shopping Mall.
REI Olympia will offer the top brands of gear and apparel for human-powered outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel products, including its own award-winning REI brand and Novara bike products. Cyclists can visit the store’s bike shop as a resource for quick assemblies and repairs, and a seasonal gear rental department will allow customers to test new outdoor adventures. REI and its local partners can also host outdoor-related classes, presentations and events in the store’s community space.
“REI looks forward to extending our roots further south in Puget Sound with the new store in Olympia,” said Kevin Golic, REI’s retail director for the Washington Alaska district. “Our expert employees strive to be a friendly resource to outdoor enthusiasts and organizations within Washington, and those that visit our region to recreate in the beautiful outdoor places we call home.”
The Olympia store will join seven other western Washington REI locations that currently serve more than 384,000 active members within the greater Seattle area, including stores in Alderwood, Bellingham, Issaquah, Redmond, Seattle, Tacoma and Tukwila. More than 9,000 REI members reside within 15 miles of the new store.
The company currently employs more than 2,700 staff in Washington at its nine stores, distribution center in Sumner, Wash. and headquarters in Kent, Wash. For the new store, REI will recruit approximately 50 people who share a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to providing quality customer service. Hiring will occur three months prior to the opening and employment information will be available at www.rei.com/jobs.
REI actively supports non-profit organizations that help people experience and restore the outdoors through its locally driven grants program. In 2010, the company provided $3.7 million of support to more than 300 non-profits nationwide, including $213,500 of grant funding to 18 Puget Sound organizations. Several of these organizations include the Cascade Land Conservancy, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Washington Trails Association.
Anyone may shop at REI and co-op members pay a one-time $20 fee to receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. More than $80 million in annual refunds was distributed to more than 3.9 million active members this year based on the co-op’s 2009 sales. REI members also receive discounts on gear rentals and REI Adventures trips, in addition to free shipping on purchases of $75 or more through REI.com, REI-OUTLET.com and phone direct sales orders.
About REI
REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.