Outdoor co-op REI is opening a new store in Birmingham, AL, in October. The new 20,000-square-foot store will be located at The Summit, just 20 minutes from Oak Mountain State Park and less than an hour from the Talladega and Bankhead National Forests.
With more than 52,000 lifetime REI members in Alabama, the store in Birmingham will be the co-op’s second location in the state, joining REI Huntsville which opens in September 2019.
“Alabama is an exciting location for REI, and we are thrilled to bring our first two stores to the state this fall,” said Gail Kirkland REI retail director for the South. “Birmingham is surrounded by incredible hiking, camping and biking opportunities. We look forward to investing in the local outdoor community and connecting our members to the outdoor spaces that make this area special.”
In addition to offering outdoor gear, REI Birmingham will also offer workshops to connect people to a life outdoors. REI helped more than 350,000 people across the country get outside through classes and events last year.
Prior to the store opening, REI plans to invest in Alabama’s outdoor community. REI works with local nonprofits in the communities it serves to steward and maintain local trails and public lands, and connect people to the outdoors.
“Over the last eight years in Birmingham, more than 100 miles of trails have been implemented, from the iconic Rotary Trail, to the Red Rock Trail System, and beyond. Birmingham is a very active community that will greatly benefit from the addition of REI to The Summit,” said Krista Wood, leasing manager at Bayer Properties.
