Mountain Equipment Co-op will open its eleventh and newest store next spring at 1450 Government Street in Victoria. The announcement ends months of speculation about when and
where the popular and unique outdoor retailer would open a store in the city.
“MEC members in Victoria and elsewhere on Vancouver Island have been
asking for a store of their own for several years,” said MEC chair Linda
Bartlett. “We're delighted that soon there will be one.”
As a member-driven organization, MEC develops new stores where a sizeable
membership base already exists. More than 46,000 MEC members live on Vancouver
Island, of which over half live in or around Victoria.
“Victoria is an ideal location for an MEC store,” said CEO Peter
Robinson. “Be it hiking, paddling or cycling, outdoor recreation is part of
Islanders' way of life, and the new store will enable us to better support
members in their activities.”
The 15,000 square-foot store will occupy the main floor of a mixed-use
redevelopment in a registered heritage building. Fronting onto Government and
Johnson streets, the store interior will be renovated to MEC's green building
standards.
“MEC is a perfect tenant for this part of downtown Victoria,” said Stan
Sipos, president of Cielo Properties Inc., the local company that's
redeveloping the site. “MEC will draw people downtown and help fuel the
revitalization that's happening here.”
The store will employ approximately 40 people, many of whom are expected
to be from Vancouver Island. Experienced outdoor enthusiasts who are familiar
with outdoor recreation opportunities on Vancouver Island and who have a
strong service ethic would make ideal candidates. Hiring will begin early next
year.
