REI Co-Op to open 20,000 sq. ft. store in Columbia’s BullStreet District
March 26, 2019
New retailer known for quality outdoor gear to locate to downtown Columbia
REI Co-op announced plans to build a 20,000 sq. ft. store in the BullStreet District in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, bringing a wide assortment of quality outdoor gear, experiences and expertise to the district.
The BullStreet District is known as the largest urban redevelopment project on the East Coast. The growing lifestyle district is located one mile from the State House, the University of South Carolina and the Main Street District.
REI’s move to the district is a major step in fulfilling the new urbanist vision for the area as a walkable entertainment district with a mix of restaurants, retailers and public spaces.
REI Columbia plans to open in Spring 2020 near the northwest corner of the district, at the intersection of Bull Street and Freed Street, one block from Colonial Drive. During the construction of REI’s store, Freed Street will be reconfigured to better connect Bull Street to the entry plaza of Segra Park. The store will be designed by Wakefield Beasley Architects in Atlanta and built by McCrory Construction of Columbia.
The more than 80-year-old Seattle-based company will offer quality outdoor gear in addition to workshops that will connect people to a life outdoors. REI helped more than 350,000 people across the country get outside through classes and events last year.
REI currently has 154 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Its other South Carolina store is in Greenville, which opened in 2011.
REI has been recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for 22 consecutive years.
The BullStreet District and Columbia’s development of the Three Rivers Greenway were important attractions for the company. The BullStreet District’s plans for daylighting Smith Branch Creek and constructing a 20-acre public park, planned to open later this year, will both compliment REI’s new location.
“The progress made in the BullStreet District within the first five years of a 20-year buildout plan is remarkable,” said Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “We welcome REI Co-op to Columbia as the first of many retail partners that will add to our city’s growing vitality in so many ways.”
As a co-op, protecting wild spaces and investing in spaces for outdoor recreation is a key part of REI’s mission. The co-op annually gives back nearly 70 percent of its profits to the outdoor community. In South Carolina, REI invested a total of $12,000 in the Anne Springs Close Greenway in York County and the Foothills Trail Conference in the Upstate.
With the new BullStreet location, Midlands residents will have local access to REI’s selection of the best gear for the region’s most popular outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, camping and paddling.
While anyone may shop at REI, members pay $20 for a lifetime membership and share in the company’s profits through an annual dividend. There are more than 122,000 lifetime REI members in South Carolina. REI is a member-owned co-op, founded in 1938 and dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
Jobs at REI Columbia in the BullStreet District
In 2020, REI expects to hire nearly 45 employees at the new store in Columbia. Candidates interested in joining the REI team at any local store can apply online at REI.com/jobs. 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.
Learn more about REI at http://www.rei.com/ and visit the BullStreet District website at http://www.bullstreetsc.com.
