REI to Open Flagship in D.C.

REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), will open its fifth flagship store in the Washington D.C. area in late 2016 at the site chosen by President Eisenhower for his inaugural ball and by the Beatles for their first concert in the U.S. The REI flagship will serve the fast growing outdoor community in the region, including more than 281,000 REI members who live in and around Washington, D.C. already.

“Our Washington, D.C. flagship will be an immersive experience – much more than a retail store. We think that people in D.C. who love the outdoors want a place where they can come together to dream and scheme about their adventures,” said Jerry Stritzke, REI president and CEO. “This is a big deal for the co-op and our members. A flagship represents the very best of REI – we are thinking expansively about product assortment, educational programming, services, community engagement and sustainable design.”

REI will enhance its retail experience by introducing new design concepts in how products, services and educational programs are presented, says the company. The store will be more than 51,000 square feet and will bring 150 new jobs to the local community.

“All sorts of folks live and work in NoMa – a big contingent are active, young and smart,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, president of the NoMa BID and NoMa Parks Foundation. “NoMa-ites of all stripes will benefit from REI’s focus on healthy living and support of the community. We are thrilled to partner with REI on this great, new flagship store.”

Steps away from Union Station in the NoMa neighborhood and easy access from the Metro’s red line or by bike, REI’s flagship will occupy the first floor of the Uline Arena. The building is undergoing a significant renovation led by Douglas Development. As the retailer’s fifth flagship in the country, it will join others in Seattle, Denver, Bloomington (Minn.) and the SoHo area of New York City. Like the Uline Arena, both the REI Denver and REI SoHo stores are in historic buildings.