Recreational Equipment, Inc. plans to open a store in Brentwood, CA. in 2009. REI plans to locate the 26,000 square-foot store at The Streets of Brentwood lifestyle center. REI has more than 7,000 co-op members and other outdoor enthusiasts residing within 15 miles of Brentwood.
“Whether our members and customers are gearing up for a day hike on Mt. Diablo, or preparing to hit the slopes in Lake Tahoe, we are excited to help outfit them for their outdoor adventures,” said Julie Harris, REI retail director for the Bay Area. “We also look forward to working with local organizations to help conserve the natural spaces around Brentwood and inspire others to get outside.”
To help encourage customers to try new outdoor activities, the new store in Brentwood will feature a gear rental department, in addition to a community space that REI and local non-profit partners can utilize for classes, presentations and events.
As part of REI's commitment to increasing access to outdoor recreation and promoting environmental stewardship, the co-op has provided financial support and/or gear donations totaling more than $65,000 to six East Bay organizations. Those partners include East Bay Regional Park District, Girls Inc. of the Island City, Northern California High School Mountain Biking Racing League, Save Mount Diablo, the Tri-Valley Community Foundation and the Watershed Project. Last year, company-wide donations exceeded $4 million and REI engaged nearly 170,000 people in 900,000 volunteer service hours.
