REI Co-op to open new store in Birmingham, Alabama in October 2019

Outdoor co-op REI is opening a new store in Birmingham, Alabama in October 2019, bringing a wide assortment of quality gear, experiences and expertise to the state’s largest city. The new 20,000-square-foot store will be located at The Summit, just 20 minutes from Oak Mountain State Park and less than an hour from the Talladega and Bankhead National Forests. With more than 52,000 lifetime REI members in Alabama, the store in Birmingham will be the co-op’s second location in the state, joining REI Huntsville which opens in September 2019.

“Alabama is an exciting location for REI, and we are thrilled to bring our first two stores to the state this fall,” said Gail Kirkland REI retail director for the South. “Birmingham is surrounded by incredible hiking, camping and biking opportunities. We look forward to investing in the local outdoor community and connecting our members to the outdoor spaces that make this area special.”

In addition to offering quality outdoor gear, REI Birmingham will also offer workshops to connect people to a life outdoors. A national leader in outdoor experiences, REI helped more than 350,000 people across the country get outside through classes and events last year.

REI is a member-owned co-op, offering top quality outdoor gear, expertise and experiences. Members pay $20 for a lifetime 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 to the outdoor community, and in 2018 invested $8.8 million in 400 nonprofit organizations across the country. Prior to the store opening, REI plans to invest in Alabama’s outdoor community. REI works with local nonprofits in the communities it serves to steward and maintain local trails and public lands, and connect people to the outdoors.

“Over the last eight years in Birmingham, more than 100 miles of trails have been implemented, from the iconic Rotary Trail, to the Red Rock Trail System, and beyond. Birmingham is a very active community that will greatly benefit from the addition of REI to The Summit,” said Krista Wood, leasing manager at Bayer Properties.

Join the REI team

Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at REI.com/jobs. In 2019, REI expects to hire nearly 50 employees at the new store in Birmingham. New employees will receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. REI has been recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for 22 consecutive years,

Store facts

• Address: 335 Summit Boulevard
• Square footage: 20,000 square feet
• Open date: October 2019
• Lifetime REI members in Alabama: Over 52,000

About the REI Co-op