REI will open its first store in Fairbanks, AK Spring of next year. The 30,000-square-foot store will be located at the southwest corner of Old Steese Highway and College Avenue and house a bike shop, and ski and snowboard shop.
REI will hire approximately 50 new employees for its new Fairbanks store and urges interested candidates can sign up online to be notified when REI begins accepting applications.
REI opened its first store in Alaska in Anchorage in 1980. In the past ten years, REI has supported Anchorage-area nonprofits and recreational places through 50 grants totaling $320,000. The 2013 grant recipients include Alaska Geographic, Friends of Eagle River Nature Center and Singletrack Advocates. Additional information is available on REI.com/stewardship.
REI has 133 stores in 33 states, as well as REI.com and REI.com/outlet and annual sales of about $2 billion. This year, the company expects to invest $3 million in local communities to help care for outdoor spaces.
