REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is about much more than recreation.
Call it “responsible recreation.”
REI, founded in 1938, recently opened its first store in Bergen County, on Forest Avenue off of Route 4 in Paramus at Bergen Town Center. Open to the public, REI is also a co-op that for $20, offers lifetime members a number of benefits. At 4.3 million members, it's the largest consumer co-op worldwide. REI sells quality outdoor gear, but also imparts knowledge of stewardship and involvement in conservation of parks and natural areas.
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“There are 62,000 active members in this area,” said Executive Vice-President Matt Hyde, who attended the Grand Opening celebration on Aug. 26. “We love that there is a demand, and that includes the natural environment in the area. That combination makes for a great store location.”
According to Hyde, becoming a lifetime member means becoming a lifetime steward, and connecting with the work REI does with the environment. For example, REI partners with nonprofits in the communities where their stores are located and works to preserve natural spaces by making gear donations and financial contributions, and planning events. For example, on July 31, before the Paramus location opened, staff from the store volunteered with the Conference at Ramapo Valley County Reservation to construct a new trail.
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Chad Vincent, General Manager of the Paramus location, has been with REI for 7 ½ years. “We’re serving New York City as well as New Jersey,” he says of the 24,000 square foot location that is all run by renewable energy. “It’s a pretty big area. This area is a retail mecca, with lots of outdoor activities in the area not served.”
And REI is one of the most environmentally friendly stores you will find. There is an energy management system in place that inclues a light sensor system that monitors light usage. The carpeting is made of renewable materials, as is all the merchandise sold.
On Grand Opening day, John Collis of Upper Saddle River, who is a student at Colorado College, was first on a line of about 300 people—since 8:30 p.m. the night before. His friend Tommy Gaidus and little brother Mark were with him. They entered the “tunnel,” walking through a path created by cheering employees on the left and right.”
“I think we got an email, saying they were giving away gift cards and water bottles," Collis said. "We were just sitting around doing nothing, so we said if we could do the same thing at home, we might as well come here and get congratulations for it.”
Michael Moschitta is a member who lives in Mahwah. He often runs and hikes Harriman State Park, and also orders REI merchandise online.
“I went to the Hanover (New Jersey) opening as well. It’s really important to me to be a member of a company that’s environmentally aware,” he said as he shopped for socks. “It’s important that there’s a company like that.”
Mom and son, Patricia Leonard and Mark Marino, also of Mahwah, attended as well, and shopped for footwear.
“I’m a big REI fan,” Marino said. “As far as outdoor stores go, REI is definitely premium. I love the idea of lifetime membership.”
“Customer satisfaction is #1,” Leonard said.
REI, 2200 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, (201) 226-1560, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, www.rei.com
