REI to Open in Flagstaff and Columbus in Spring 2014

 

Were excited to join communities that are magnets for those who love the outdoors, said Rachel Ligtenberg, REI regional vice president. Whether enjoying activities close-to-home or farther away at a national park, we look forward to preparing people for their outdoor adventures through great gear and knowledgeable staff.

 

The 23,550 square-foot Flagstaff store will be located at Aspen Place at the Sawmill at the corner of Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue. Part of the latest phase of development at the shopping center, the store will be near downtown Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University. With a presence in Arizona for more than 25 years, REI also has stores in Tempe, Paradise Valley and Tucson that opened in 1986, 1996, and 2010 respectively.

 

The Columbus store will open in Easton Gateway at the corner of Stelzer Road and Morse Road. The company opened its first Ohio store in Cincinnati last October.

 

There are more than 4,200 members in the Flagstaff area, and more than 5,100 in Columbus. The company will hire approximately 50 new employees for each new store.

 

REI currently operates 129 stores in 32 states, as well as REI.com and REI.com/outlet. Headquartered outside of Seattle, the national multichannel retail co-op has more than 5 million active members and is on pace to reach $2 billion in sales in 2013.