Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op announced expansion plans to open a new store this summer at The River at Rancho Mirage retail and entertainment center. The new store will be located in the 25,000-square-foot space vacated approximately four years ago by clothing retailer Forever 21.
The River is on a roll with this announcement coming soon after Dave & Busters opened a new facility within a previously vacant 22,000-square-foot space. REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The store will offer a wide assortment of apparel, gear, and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, climbing, and more. In addition, a full-service bike shop will be staffed with technicians to tune, repair, and enhance the performance of all bikes. It’s among 10 new stores the company plans to open in 2024.
Mary-Farrell Tarbox, REI vice president of stores, stated in a release that an important factor in selecting their store sites is that locations have an “abundance of easily accessible natural places to play in addition to proximity to iconic national parks where REI currently guides active adventures.” In addition to bringing the attractive product line their national brand is known for to the desert, Tarbox noted that the company has an initiative focused on getting more people to explore the outdoors that they will introduce to the community. As a part of the grand opening process, store teams will recommend local nonprofits to receive support from the REI Fund. Last year, the REI Fund made a record investment, contributing $6.1 million to more than 260 organizations creating a more equitable outdoors. Of that total, more than 200 of the grantees were local organizations championed by REI employees who work in-store.
“As we do in every community where we have a presence, we will establish nonprofit partnerships to support their efforts to help get more people outside,” Tarbox said.
