REI to Outfit Virginia’s Tysons Outdoor Adventurers Beginning in Late August
OutdoorHub 03.15.13
Residents and visitors near the nation’s capital can enjoy even more great gear and apparel through a new REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) store in the Tysons area of McLean, Va. Opening in August, the 32,800 square-foot, two-story store will be located at the southeast corner of Leesburg Pike and Chain Bridge Road.
REI Tysons will offer the top brands of gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel. The store’s seasonal rental department will allow customers to test new outdoor activities and bike shop will provide expert assembly and repair services. A community space will host outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.
“Tysons is the ultimate shopping hub in Northern Virginia,” said Ray Dinterman, REI retail director for the Mid-Atlantic district. “Our new store will join five other local REI stores and help us better outfit nearly 200,000 active members who paddle the Potomac and hike the Appalachian Trail.”
REI partners with local nonprofit organizations that work to preserve and maintain trails, waterways, parks and backcountry destinations where communities enjoy the outdoors. Last year, $202,500 was granted to 12 local nonprofits, including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rock Creek Conservancy.
While anyone may shop at the retailer, REI is the nation’s largest consumer cooperative with more than 5 million active members. Members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share in company’s profits through an annual member refund. Membership also includes discounts on gear rentals, REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School classes.
REI operates 128 stores in 32 states, two online stores – rei.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and the award-winning REI brand and Novara bike products. The new store will be the sixth REI location in the Washington, D.C. area.
The company will hire approximately 50 new employees for REI Tysons. Interested candidates with a passion for outdoor adventure and quality customer service can learn more about applying to REI at www.rei.com/jobs. For 16 consecutive years, REI has been recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
