Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open its first Nebraska store in Gretna in fall 2022. The location will offer a wide assortment of apparel, gear and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, snow sports, climbing and more. For those who adventure on two wheels, a full-service bike shop will be staffed by certified mechanics.
“With nearly 21,000 REI members in the state, the co-op has long wanted to better serve those customers and support the outdoor community. REI Gretna will be a centralized location to serve Lincoln, Omaha and those who visit the area to enjoy the endless outdoor opportunities,” said Janet Hopkins, REI regional director. “As we do in every region where we have a presence, we will develop partnerships with local outdoor nonprofits to support efforts to protect natural places and welcome more people outside.”
Store Facts
- Address: Nebraska Crossing; 21209 Nebraska Crossing Drive Gretna, NE 68028
- Store Size: 22,000 square feet
- Special Features: Full-service bike shop, gear rentals, buy online – pick up in store, curbside pickup, and virtual outfitting
- REI Co-op Membership: 21,000 million members in Nebraska. More than 14,000 members in Gretna, Lincoln and Omaha
- Closest REI Stores: West Des Moines, Iowa – 147 miles; Overland Park, Kansas – 207 miles; Wichita, Kansas – 295 miles
As the country’s largest consumer co-op, anyone is welcome to shop and tap into the company’s resources in support of an active lifestyle. Members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits, including a used gear trade-in program; discounts on rentals, shop services and experiences; a share of the co-op’s annual profits based on qualifying purchases; and more.
Community investments, partnerships and advocacy for outdoor access
Each year, REI invests millions of dollars in local nonprofit organizations across the country to steward trails, waterways and parks and connect people to the outdoors. In 2021, $6.3 million was granted to more than 400 nonprofits.
In addition, the co-op introduced a community-supported public charity last year called the REI Cooperative Action Fund to harness the collective power of millions of REI members, thousands of REI employees, and hundreds of nonprofit partners and community leaders to build a more just, equitable and inclusive outdoor culture. The Omaha chapter of Black Girls RUN! Foundation was among the first grant recipients.
Join the REI team
REI expects to hire approximately 50 employees for REI Gretna. Candidates interested in joining the REI team can apply online at REI.com/jobs and a timeline for hiring is here. 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 174 locations in 41 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.
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