VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – REI’s first Hampton Roads location opened Friday morning in the Pembroke area of Virginia Beach.
The store is located in the former Sears automotive center at Pembroke Mall.
The 27,000 square foot Virginia Beach store offers outdoor gear and apparel, as well as bike shop for assemblies or repairs. Nearly 50 employees have been hired that will help outfit and inspire Hampton Roads adventurers.
REI was formed in Seattle in 1938 and has since grown to be the largest consumer co-op in the country with $2.4 billion in sales. Anyone may shop at REI, but members pay a lifetime $20 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund.
The company also invests in nonprofit partners. Recently, they invested $10,000 in Friends of First Landing State Park to increase access to and steward the outdoor recreation places where members in the area play.
The grand opening celebration for the store will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The first 200 people through the door on those days will receive a limited-edition CamelBak water bottle with a $10, $20, or $100 REI promotional card inside.
Plus, there will be food and drink trucks each day providing free fare to guests!
