Recreational Equipment, Inc. plans to open a store at the Fountains at Arbor Lakes. in Maple Grove, Minn., in the fall of 2006. The 25,000 square-foot store will employ about 55 full- and part-time staff.
“The Fountains at Arbor Lakes is a first class retail center,” said REI Director of Real Estate Jerry Chevassus. “It is also a convenient spot for our members and customers to gear up for the great outdoors, places like Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Chippewa National Forest and Superior National Forest.”
REI has 35,000 members within 15 miles of the store site. This is REIs third store in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. REI opened a store in Bloomington in 1979 and the Roseville store in 1992. While anyone may shop at REI, members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the companys profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases.
