Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open its first store in Kentucky Nov. 8 in Louisville at Paddock Shops. The three-day opening celebration will include outdoor gear vendors, community partners, an afternoon social and more.
REI is the country’s largest consumer co-op with 24 million members who participate in a wide range of outdoor activities. Everyone is welcome to shop REI and tap into the vast amount of expertise provided by the co-op's store staff and online resources. Members who join the co-op enjoy a wide range of benefits, including coupons and discounts, a used gear trade-in program, an annual member reward of 10% back on eligible purchases, an extended satisfaction guarantee window of one year, and more.
Outdoor brands include Black Diamond, Cascade Designs, Darn Tough, ENO, Gregory Mountain Product, HOKA, Hydro Flask, Kate’s Snack Bars, Nikwax, Oboz, OOFOS, Osprey, and Smartwool. Local nonprofits and groups including Black Girls RUN!, Catalyst Sports and Parks Alliance of Louisville will share their work and events in the community. As part of the REI Louisville grand opening, a $10,000 donation will be made to the Park Alliance of Louisville that has a mission to drive equitable investment in public parks to improve the health & wellbeing of the community.
“Our team of 50 experts are ready to share our love of a range of activities and how we are a different kind of company,” says REI Louisville store manager Erin Jackson. “As a co-op, we act in the long-term interests of our employees, members and communities. As an example, just a few weeks after opening we will close on Black Friday to give employees a day off to Opt Outside with family and friends, just as we have done across the country since 2015. Time outside to reconnect with nature and the well-being of our employees is what really matters.”
The nearly 31,100-square-foot store will offer a wide assortment of apparel and gear for camping, hiking, biking, climbing, and more. The store will also feature a full-service bike shop staffed by certified mechanics to tune and repair mountain, road, hybrid or e-bike. Every bike sold at REI comes with one year of free adjustments. In addition, REI members receive a free Co-op Cycles brand bicycle tube with purchase of any bicycle flat tire repair service.
New REI members join a growing community that fights for a life outside. With each new membership purchased, the co-op donates $5 to support the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The community-supported nonprofit is fueled by donations from REI members, customers, employees, foundations, and corporate partners – including the co-op. The REI Fund provides support to nonprofit organizations across the country doing essential work to create a more equitable outdoors for everyone.