REI plans to open a 30,000-square-foot, two-story retail location at the Village at Westfield Topanga in the San Fernando Valley in the fall of 2015.
“REI has been honored to outfit Los Angeles residents with the right gear and advice for their outdoor adventures for nearly 40 years,” said Greg Mellinger, REI retail director for the Southern California district. “Our continued growth in Southern California reflects the active nature of our customers in this area, and our commitment to better meet their needs.”
REI Topanga will join five other stores in serving more than 352,000 active REI members in the greater Los Angeles area. More than 62,000 active members reside within 15 miles of the new store.
Extending its involvement in the community, REI partners with nonprofit organizations that take care of the outdoor places where its members recreate. Earlier this year, REI granted $125,000 to 13 organizations that enhance trails, parks and waterways in Los Angeles, including Amigos De Los Rios, Heal the Bay, Santa Monica Mountains Fund and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy.
REI will hire approximately 50 employees for the new store. Interested candidates can sign up online to be notified when the store begins accepting applications. Employees receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. For 17 consecutive years, REI has been recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
REI has 135 stores in 33 states and REI.com and REI.com/outlet.
