REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) plans to open a new store in Olympia, WA. in the spring of 2011. The two-story, 25,000 square-foot store will join seven other western Washington REI locations
that currently serve more than 384,000 active members within the
greater Seattle area, including stores in Alderwood, Bellingham,
Issaquah, Redmond, Seattle, Tacoma and Tukwila.
More than 9,000 REI
members reside within 15 miles of the new store. It ill be located off Cooper Point Road at Westfield Capital Shopping Mall.
“REI looks forward to extending our roots further south in Puget Sound with the new store in Olympia,” said Kevin Golic, REI's retail director for the Washington Alaska district. “Our expert employees strive to be a friendly resource to outdoor enthusiasts and organizations within Washington, and those that visit our region to recreate in the beautiful outdoor places we call home.”
The company currently employs more than 2,700 staff in Washington at its nine stores, distribution center in Sumner, Wash. and headquarters in Kent, Wash. For the new store, REI will recruit approximately 50 people as staff.
