REI Co-op Sarasota-Manatee sets grand opening date for UTC outdoor recreation retail store

Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

National outdoor and recreation retailer REI Co-op is set to welcome customers to its first Sarasota location during a grand opening celebration on Friday, Nov. 10.

The new 25,000-square-foot REI store is in the West District at University Town Center, just off of the Interstate 75/University Parkway interchange near the UTC Mall. REI's grand opening celebration will take place through the Nov. 10-12 weekend with giveaways, prizes and customer discounts.

REI has also partnered with a handful of Sarasota and Manatee-based nonprofit organizations for its grand opening as part of a longstanding effort to support the local community and environment through collaboration. Beginning Friday at 10 a.m., customers can enjoy complimentary coffee and snag an exclusive camp mug with a donation to local partner Friends of the Myakka River.

In the afternoon, REI will host an outdoor social from 1-5 p.m. Local outdoor brands will showcase services and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and the Florida Trail Association will also be in attendance to educate customers about local environmental causes.

Outdoor and recreation customers will have a new option for shopping with the gran opening Nov. 10 of outdoor retail giant REI Co-op near Sarasota's University Town Center Mall. Here, an REI retail store is seen Monday, March 16, 2020, in Brentwood, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Outdoor and recreation customers will have a new option for shopping with the gran opening Nov. 10 of outdoor retail giant REI Co-op near Sarasota's University Town Center Mall. Here, an REI retail store is seen Monday, March 16, 2020, in Brentwood, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington-based REI announced the opening of the Sarasota store earlier this year, 10 years after the company opened its first Florida location in Jacksonville. REI Co-op Sarasota will be the company's eighth store in the state and will offer the same membership program which offers benefits for outdoor enthusiasts such as a used gear trade-in initiative, discounts on shop services and experiences, a share of the co-op’s annual profits based on qualifying purchases and more.

Customers can find outdoor apparel along with gear for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing and other activities. The company will also offer its popular full-service bike shop staffed by certified mechanics and experts.

REI is the latest addition to the businesses at Benderson Development-owned University Town Center properties.

Last month, the long-awaited second location of Trader Joe's opened to customers near the UTC Mall. Construction of the grocer drew large crowds on its opening day and was highly anticipated by Lakewood Ranch and north Sarasota and Manatee County residents.

Samantha Gholar covers news for the Herald-Tribune and USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at sgholar@gannett.com or on Twitter: @samanthagholar

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: REI Co-op opening this week in Sarasota-Manatee near UTC mall