REI has signed a lease with the Soffer Organization for a 27,000 square-foot store in the Southside Works, located on Pittsburgh's south side on the Monongahela River. Southside Works is a 34-acre, urban mixed-use, brownfield redevelopment. The REI store will employ approximately 70 full- and part-time staff.
“Southside Works provides a great urban location with bike paths and the nearby Monongahela River,” said REI Vice President of Real Estate Jerry Chevassus. “Western Pennsylvania is home to some the country's greatest canoeing, hiking, climbing and cycling. This new store will provide a convenient place for outdoor enthusiasts to get their gear.”
The two-story retail store will feature a free-standing climbing pinnacle, as well as an interactive shopping environment – including a camp stove demonstration area, water filter testing station, hiking boot test trail, bicycle and ski/snowboard repair shop, as well as space to climb into tents and heft backpacks. A gear rental department will also be offered to encourage customers to try new outdoor activities.
