REI Houston-Baybrook Joins the Co-op this Fall

New store to offer gear and expertise, and extend partnerships with local nonprofits to help more people get outside

Jul 21, 2016

SEATTLE – Outdoor adventurers in Houston, Texas will have a new REI store when the co-op sets up camp at the Baybrook Mall this fall. Situated just miles from the northern point of Galveston Bay, the new store will carry gear and apparel for some of the region's most popular activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking and trail running.

"It's amazing that Houston is getting a third co-op store so close to so many outdoor

places," said Ann Bewley, REI Outdoor Programs and Outreach market coordinator for the Houston area. "We're excited to increase our support of the local community and inspire people to get outside through our classes, gear and passion for the outdoors. Working with and growing our partnerships with local nonprofits in this area will add a new dimension to Clear Lake and its surrounding areas.

REI Houston-Baybrook will be the co-op's third location in the Houston area, joining stores at Willowbrook and The Galleria, which was the co-op's first Houston location in 1996. The new 25,000 square-foot store will serve more than 80,000 active members in Houston. It will be the co-op's 11 ^th location in the state of Texas—first opening at Austin-Gateway in 1989.

The new store will feature the top brands of outdoor gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, travel and paddling, and the store's bike shop will provide cyclists with expert assembly and repair services. The store will also offer expert advice from in-store guides and classes through REI Outdoor School—a national leader in outdoor education that taught over 250,000 people across the country last year. In the Houston area, nearly 2,000 people have participated in REI Outdoor School classes this year. REI is also holding its first-ever national free weekend of Outdoor School on July 30-31 to bring people together outside, offering over 400 classes and events nationwide at no cost.

With each new store, the co-op invests in local nonprofit partners who steward local outdoor places. In 2016, REI has invested $40,000 in five Houston-area nonprofits and $210,000 in 23 nonprofit partners throughout the state. In total, REI will invest more than $8 million in hundreds of nonprofits throughout the country this year.

Join the REI Team

Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at rei.jobs. The co-op expects to hire 50 employees for each of the new stores who receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. For 19 consecutive years, REI has been recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For."

About the REI Co-op

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 184 locations in 42 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.