REI Co-op’s first Alabama store will open at MidCity Huntsville in Fall 2019

HUNTSVILLE, ALA.— REI Co-op is opening its first location in the state of Alabama at MidCity Huntsville, bringing a wide assortment of quality gear and expertise for the region’s most popular outdoor activities in fall 2019. With over 150 stores across the U.S., REI will join a growing list of world-class brands at MidCity Huntsville; the $500 million experiential, midtown district at the intersection of two of North Alabama’s primary commercial corridors – University Drive and Research Park Boulevard.  Similar to other communities REI serves, the co-op plans to invest in Alabama’s outdoor community, working with local nonprofits to steward and maintain local trails, parks and more.

“Huntsville is a growing outdoor community with proximity to areas like Blevins Gap and Rainbow Mountain, the Tennessee River, and Guntersville Lake,” said Gail Kirkland, REI retail director for the Southeast district. “With more than 11,000 active REI members in the state of Alabama, we are excited to continue to grow in the South and invest in this community.”

REI Huntsville will offer workshops to connect people to a life outdoors. A national leader in outdoor experiences, last year REI helped more than 375,000 people across the country get outside through classes and events last year. REI Huntsville will also have direct access to MidCity Park, a 40-acre public park with a trail system, lakeside dock, and an outdoor amphitheater.

REI is a member-owned co-op, offering top quality gear, expertise and experiences to connect people to a life outdoors. While anyone may shop at REI, members pay a lifetime $20 membership and share in the company’s profits through an annual dividend. In addition, REI actively works with nonprofits across the country to protect wild places and invest in spaces for outdoor recreation. The co-op annually gives back nearly 70 percent of its profits back to the outdoor community, and in 2018 is investing $8.8 million in more than 400 nonprofit organizations across the country.

Max Grelier, Co-Founder of RCP Companies explains, “REI is a best-in-class retailer that improves local communities by working to protect and preserve natural resources and offering high-quality educational and recreational opportunities.  REI will provide an elevated experience for North Alabama outdoor enthusiast and the existing co-op members across the Tennessee Valley region.  This is a tremendous addition to MidCity, one that really complements our core values through recreation, entertainment, and health and wellness.”

Located at the entry of MidCity at the intersection of Nunnuhsae Park Drive & FAME Avenue, with direct highway access to U.S. Highway 72, the outdoor retailer anchors the north-end of MidCity Park. Construction is slated to begin in October 2018 with an opening date scheduled for fall 2019.

Recently ranked as the fourth largest commercial real estate project in the nation, MidCity Huntsville features first-to-market concepts in retail, dining, entertainment, residential and hospitality, making it one of the most dynamic mixed-use developments in the Southeast. Topgolf, Dave & Buster’s, High Point Climbing, Aloft Hotel by Marriott, Rascal Flatt’s, Wahlburger’s, and world-class music venues are leading the way in establishing the MidCity as the hub for the Tennessee Valley’s workforce and growing regional population.

“The redevelopment efforts of the former Madison Square Mall property continues to provide new to market options for our community,” said Shane Davis, director of urban planning at The City of Huntsville. “The Master Plan of the development includes over 30 acres of active space for kayaking, running, biking, rock climbing, along with an outdoor amphitheater.  The goal of MidCity is to provide a mix of retail opportunities, entertainment, and outdoor spaces such that the area is always active.  The addition of REI Co-op is an outstanding retailer that adds tremendous energy to this plan.”

Join the REI team

Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at REI.com/jobs. Later this year, the co-op expects to hire nearly 50 employees at the new store in Huntsville. New employees will receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. For 21 consecutive years, REI has been recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

Store facts:

Address: 5903 University Drive Northwest (approximate)

Square footage: 20,000 square feet

Open date: Fall 2019

Active members: 3,500 in Huntsville; 11,400 in Alabama

About 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 17 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 152 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the free REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs more than 170 custom-designed itineraries worldwide. The REI Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner-to advanced-level courses 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.

About RCP Companies

RCP Companies is an Alabama-based boutique real estate firm that provides acquisition, development and asset management services. RCP is dedicated to creating vibrant and creative public spaces that are carefully conceived to promote social interaction and memorable experiences – well built, experiential environments that inspire human activity and create places where people want to live, learn, work, play and stay. As a developer and owner of such innovative places, RCP seeks to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors and build long-term relationships among community stakeholders. The company currently has more than $700 million of development under construction or in predevelopment in Alabama.

More information available at www.rcpcompanies.com.

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