REI Co-op will open a store in San Luis Obispo, CA, on October 25. Located at the SLO Promenade, REI’s new 22,000-square-foot store marks the co-op’s 29th store in the state and first along California’s central coast.
REI opened its first store in California – and the second store in its 81-year history – in Berkeley in 1975.
“San Luis Obispo is an incredible outdoor community and we look forward to connecting our local members to the outdoor places and activities they love,” said Michael Caponio, REI San Luis Obispo store manager. “Whether it’s biking, hiking, paddling or camping, we’ll offer the best gear and expertise to enjoy the outdoors, while investing in the outdoor spaces that make this community special.”
In addition to outdoor gear, REI San Luis Obispo will also offer a range of programs to connect people to a life outdoors. A national leader in outdoor experiences and education, last year, the co-op helped more than 350,000 people across the country get outside and be inspired to lead an active lifestyle through a wide range of classes, tours and events.
As a member-owned co-op, REI is heavily focused on giving back to the communities it serves. In 2018, REI invested over $900,000 in outdoor nonprofits in California to steward local trails and public lands, and connect people to the outdoors. To celebrate the new store, REI is investing a total of $20,000 in two local nonprofits: The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCMB). Funds provided to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo will support conservation and preservation work along trails at the Pismo Preserve, and CCMB will use funding to support trail improvements and reroutes across San Luis Obispo County.
