REI will open a second store in Houston, Texas, in the Willowbrook Shopping Center in October.
“The Willowbrook store will be a convenient location to stop by and gear
up before heading out to camp, hike or cycle in the Sam Houston National
Forest and Brazos Bend and Lake Houston state parks,” said REI Vice
President Real Estate Jerry Chevassus.
The new store will serve more than 17,000 active REI cooperative members
in the Houston area. REI opened its first store in Houston in 1996. Last year, that original
store was relocated to 7530 Westheimer Road due to Katy Freeway
construction. The Willowbrook 22,500 square-foot site is in a
sub-divided existing structure, leased from an affiliate of Gulf Coast
Commercial Management, Inc.
The store will employ 50 full- and part-time staff and provide REI's
full line of outdoor gear and clothing. It will offer top outdoor
brands including REI's own gear and apparel. A gear rental department
will encourage people to try outdoor sports.
