REI Co-op, the specialty outdoor retailer with five stores in Florida, will open new locations in spring 2022 in Tallahassee and Palm Beach Gardens. The co-op will offer a wide assortment of apparel, gear and expertise for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling and more. Each store will also offer a full-service bike shop staffed by certified professionals to support those who love to adventure on two wheels.
“From our Jacksonville store that opened in 2013 to our newest Tampa location that welcomed its first customers this spring, we look forward continuing to foster the outdoor community in their year-round activities,” said Gail Kirkland, REI regional director for the South. “We’re here to serve both locals and visitors who are drawn to Florida’s climate and incredible natural places to be active.”
As a member-owned co-op, REI shares annual profits with its members and invests in the local communities where they reside and recreate. As part of the co-op’s philanthropy commitment, REI actively partners with nonprofits across the country to steward and maintain local trails and public lands in support of connecting more people to the outdoors. Over the last nine years, the co-op has invested more than $300,000 in Florida land agencies and nonprofit partners. Investments made this year include Florida State Parks Foundation, Florida Trails Association and Friends of Alafia State Park in Tampa. As REI approaches the opening of the Tallahassee and Palm Beach Gardens stores, the co-op will support nonprofits in each local outdoor community.
Store Facts
- REI Palm Beach Gardens: Downtown Palm Beach Gardens at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue; 25,000 square feet
- REI Tallahassee: Market Square at 1415 Timberland Road; 22,000 square feet
- Open Dates: Spring 2022
- Special Features: Full-service bike shop, buy online – pick up in store, curbside pickup, virtual outfitting
- REI Co-op Membership: 391,000 members in Florida; increase of more than 75% since 2013
- Stores: Boca Raton (opened 2020), Gainesville (opened 2020), Jacksonville (opened 2013), Tampa (opened 2021), Winter Park (opened 2017)
Join the REI team
Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at REI.com/jobs and a timeline for hiring at the locations can be found here. REI expects to hire approximately 50 employees at each location. Candidates can set up a job alert on the co-op’s career site to be notified when positions are posted. New employees will receive a wide variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. REI employees also enjoy unique perks, such as two paid “Co-op Way Days” each year that allow them to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity and an additional paid day off on Black Friday to encourage all employees to #OptOutside.
About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 20 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 168 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.
