REI will relocate its Redmond, WA store to Bellevue, WA on the east side of Puget Sound in the fall of 2016.
REI, the Seattle-based specialty outdoor retailer and nation’s largest consumer cooperative, is moving its Redmond location to better inspire, educate and outfit over 126,000 active REI members in the Bellevue area.
REI Bellevue will occupy the second level of the Bellevue Central Shopping Center at the northeast corner of 116th Avenue NE and NE 4th Street. The store will feature over 40,000 square feet of space with the top brands of outdoor gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, travel, and seasonal snow and water sports. The store’s bike shop will provide cyclists with expert assembly and repair services, and the snow shop will offer a full range of ski and snowboard services.
“The new store in Bellevue will be better equipped to serve co-op members and customers for their outdoor adventures,” said Doug Schmidt, REI divisional vice president of Retail. “The larger space will allow us to offer a broader selection of products and programs, and the location will provide more convenient access for outdoor lovers on the Eastside to explore the parks and forests throughout the region.”
REI Bellevue will be located just seven miles from the current store in Redmond and will join four additional co-op locations within 20 miles, including Seattle, Issaquah, Tukwila and Alderwood. REI serves over 485,000 active REI members in the Puget Sound area, who pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual dividend.
Founded in Seattle in 1938, REI originally opened a store in Bellevue in 1984, marking the second store in Washington and ninth store nationwide. After moving to Redmond in 1998, the co-op will return to Bellevue and continue its tradition of helping people enjoy the outdoors.
REI has 5.5 million active members and sells from 140 stores in 33 states as well as REI.com, REI.com/outlet. REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs 150 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI’s Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities.
