REI Co-op to open new store in Boca Raton, Florida in fall 2020

SEATTLE – REI Co-op will open a new store in Boca Raton, Florida in fall 2020, bringing a wide assortment of quality outdoor gear, experiences and expertise for the region’s most popular outdoor activities. The new 23,000-square-foot store will be located at the Uptown Boca lifestyle center, at the southwest corner of Glades Road and 95th Avenue South in west Boca Raton. REI Boca Raton will also offer personal outfitting services that allow customers to connect with REI experts to get the gear they need for their next adventure.

“Boca Raton and the surrounding area is known for its access to some of the best beaches in the country. From biking to swimming to a picnic on the beach, our goal is to offer everything our members and customers need to enjoy their favorite activities outside,” said Gail Kirkland, REI regional director for the South. “As we continue to grow and expand in the state, we look forward to further connecting Floridians to the outdoor places they love and investing in the places that make this region special.”

REI Boca Raton will also offer a range of programs to connect people to a life outdoors. A national leader in outdoor experiences, REI helped more than 325,000 people across the country get outside last year.

“REI is a best-in-class retailer and we are thrilled to welcome them to Uptown Boca,” said Brian Schmier, CEO of Schmier Property Group. “Our objective at Uptown Boca has been to create a vibrant destination with new and unique tenants and REI, with its diverse and loyal membership and customer base, will be a regional draw for the project and an asset to the community. The active lifestyle of our south Florida community represents the perfect customer profile for REI.”

REI has been a part of the Florida community since 2013 when it opened its store in Jacksonville. By 2021, the co-op will more than double its presence in the state, with plans to open new stores in Gainesville and Tampa. REI actively works with nonprofits to steward and maintain local trails and public lands and connect people to the outdoors in every community it serves. In 2019, REI invested over $140,000 in local outdoor nonprofits in Florida including funds for The Miami Foundation, Florida Trail Association and the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association of Florida. As REI gets closer to opening in Boca Raton, the co-op plans to invest further in the local outdoor community.

Join the REI team

Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at REI.com/jobs. REI expects to hire more than 45 employees for the Boca Raton location. 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, like two paid “Yay Days” that allow them to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity and an additional paid day off on Black Friday to #OptOutside with family and friends. REI has been recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for 22 consecutive years.

Store facts

• Address: Uptown Boca, southwest corner of Glades Road and 95th Avenue South
• Square footage: 23,000 square feet
• Open date: Fall 2020
• Special features: Bike shop, local experiences
• REI Co-op membership: More than 320,000 lifetime members in Florida
• Existing Florida stores: Jacksonville (opened 2013), Winter Park (opened 2017)
• Future Florida stores: Gainesville (opens spring 2020), Tampa (opens 2021)

About Uptown Boca

Uptown Boca is the first new development in west Boca Raton in over 20 years, featuring approximately 155,000 square feet of upscale retail and 456 luxury rental apartments. The center is situated on a 38-acre site at Glades Road and 95th Avenue South, just east of US441/SR7. At Uptown Boca, people within the community will find their new favorite eateries, entertainment and nightlife as well as desirable new options for daily needs and service. The apartments will provide residents with an unparalleled list of resort style amenities, plus the added benefit of walkability to an organic grocery, luxury cinema and a diverse mix of other restaurants and retailers. The retail is anchored by REI, Lucky’s Market and Silverspot Cinema, and features much sought after tenants including Chick-fil-A, Lynora’s Osteria, Naked Taco, BurgerFi, Bolay, Olive U Mediterranean Grill, F45 Training, Tipsy Salonbar and many more. Uptown Boca offers one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments ranging from 718 to 1,737 square feet. Featured amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with yoga room and spin room; dog park and spa; a rideshare lounge; summer kitchens and grilling stations; package lockers with cold storage and much more. The retail is slated to open in summer 2020 with the residential expected to begin leasing in mid-2020. Uptown Boca is developed by Schmier Property Group, Giles Capital Group and Rosemurgy Properties in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital. For more information, please visit www.UptownBoca.com.

About the REI Co-op