Recreational Equipment, Inc. plans to renovate and expand its current Boulder, Colo., store to pilot a prototype design for REI stores. Project completion is set for the fall 2007. The 21,000 square-foot store will expand into adjoining space currently occupied by Old Navy, doubling its size to 42,000 square feet.
Old Navy will continue operating in its current location through January 2007. The renovation is set to begin in February 2007.
The expansion will allow for a broader and deeper inventory of gear and clothing and more space for outdoor recreation information. The extra room will also allow for REI to experiment with new design concepts currently in the planning stage.
“We are responding to customer feedback with a deeper selection of gear and clothing and also by having more community space for presentations as well as more information readily accessible about places to hike, camp and cycle,” said Ali Bennett, Boulder store manager.
Initial concepts include consolidating outdoor information and advice along with trail maps, travel information, community activities and volunteer service opportunities at a single location to assist people with getting outdoors and joining others involved in outdoor recreation and conservation. The renovations will also incorporate green designs for energy efficiency and materials in line with REI’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
REI is working with Gensler, based in San Francisco, on the prototype. Gensler is a leading global design, planning and strategic consulting firm. The firm has been a champion of sustainable design for many years. In 2005, Gensler received the Leadership Award from the U.S. Green Building Council for its commitment to the advancement of sustainable design.
“What better place to try some new ideas than Boulder, which has a long history of leadership in the outdoor industry,” said Dean Iwata, director of REI store development. “I am excited about using the Boulder store as a showcase to develop a new prototype store that improves our ability to inspire and help people to get outdoors. We also hope that this new format will create a place for people involved in outdoor recreation to meet and come together as a community.”
The Boulder store was relocated from Westminster in 2002. Bennett has been store manager since its Westminster days. “I love Boulder. The community has been very supportive of REI,” she said. “We have supported the community through the REI grants program, our community service projects and just providing assistance to people who want to have a great outdoor experience.”
A portion of REI’s profits is set aside each year for support of environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation causes, through volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions. REI has awarded grants recently to the YMCA of Boulder Valley and the Women’s Wilderness Institute, the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance and the Boulder Parks and Recreation Foundation.
In 2004, REI earned the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold rating for commercial interiors from the U.S. Green Building Council for its new store in the Pearl District in Portland, Ore.
REI first opened a store in Colorado in 1983. There are currently seven stores in Colorado including the Denver Flagship and stores in Fort Collins, Lakewood, Englewood, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Grand Junction.
