Exciting news, but a shame it isn't located in a more 'outdoors-centric' location... :-\
QuoteREI, one of the nation’s leading retailers of outdoor clothes and equipment, is opening a store in Jacksonville.
The 23,400-square-foot store is expected to open spring 2013 in the Markets of Town Center, adjacent to St. Johns Town Center.
The store will be between Whisky River and Best Buy.
It will be the first REI store in Florida and will hire about 50 employees, a spokeswoman said, with hiring beginning three months before opening.
Unlike many other outdoor stores, REI carries no hunting or fishing equipment. It also carries no team sports gear.
Instead, it focuses on hiking, camping, padding, cycling, climbing, fitness and travel gear.
The company was founded in Seattle in 1938 as a cooperative. It now has 122 stores in 29 states., but still has a cooperative element.
Anyone may shop at the store, but members who pay a $20 lifetime fee receive dividends at the end of the year, depending how much they spent.
REI has more than 4 million active members, include more than 3,100 in the Jacksonville area, a spokeswoman said.
Fortune magazine named it the eighth best company in the country to work for in its Feb. 6 issue.
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/business/2012-03-06/story/rei-open-outdoor-gear-store-jacksonville#ixzz1oMkDOiUo
QuoteExciting news, but a shame it isn't located in a more 'outdoors-centric' location...
Like where? I know they sell bikes and kayaks, but it's not like folks are grabbing a North Face jacket & a backpack and heading up the mountain anywhere in town.
It seems like Black Creek Outfitters also found this area to be prime & thrives (doubt they're too excited, though).
Cool news.
Quote from: blizz01 on March 06, 2012, 02:39:56 PM
QuoteExciting news, but a shame it isn't located in a more 'outdoors-centric' location...
Like where? I know they sell bikes and kayaks, but it's not like folks are grabbing a North Face jacket & a backpack and heading up the mountain anywhere in town.
It seems like Black Creek Outfitters also found this area to be prime & thrives (doubt they're too excited, though).
Granted, they're going where the money is, but it'd be great if they had opened in a location next to the river, or with access to bike trails, etc. Some place where customers could try out the product. It's a good business move to open at the town center, though.
I guess that is the old Golf Galaxy location.
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
anyone who wants to go to REI. I am just happy they are opening a Dick's Sporting Goods at the RCMP.
With REI's emphasis on environmental stewardship I would expect them to locate in a place that wasn't the embodiment of a sprawling greenfield development.
But then again, the developers for those new apartments they are building at the SJTC refer to the area as an "infill site" which is quite a sad joke.
While I agree with all that the location is terrible, I am glad we're getting an REI.
It's perfect! Maybe they can single-handedly convince everyone to not drive store to store, but instead buy a comfortable pair of hiking boots and a survival pack and walk the 39 miles round trip during a shopping adventure.
The old Fuel spot in five points would have been a really cool location...
Lot's of mountain climbers & snow boarders in 5-points too?
Quote from: blizz01 on March 06, 2012, 03:44:01 PM
Lot's of mountain climbers & snow boarders in 5-points too?
Your critiques are misplaced...even on Colorado or NC, you're not going to find an REI on the side of a mountain or perched on a river...and to be quite frank, yes, I'm sure Riverside is full of outdoorsmen. We've seen how many people drive to the Town Center for god-knows-what. Why not Five Points?
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
I've dealt with traffic much worse.
Cline. i read that article and couldnt believe my eyes! The SJTC was developed in the middle of woods for crying out loud!
Quote from: ben says on March 06, 2012, 03:49:14 PM
Why not Five Points?
For God's sake man! Where would they park?
Quote from: Anti redneck on March 06, 2012, 03:53:30 PM
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
I've dealt with traffic much worse.
I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.
i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.
I hope they have a rock climbing wall.
Quote from: fsujax on March 06, 2012, 04:05:55 PM
i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.
+1.
It's so predictable that so many will get bent out of joint everytime something new opens at SJTC - like it or not, it makes perfect business sense as that is Jacksonville's big box/chain shopping Mecca. Traffic & all, lemmings or not, they will keep building there & shopping there until it hurts or becomes "stale". I know that there's a lifecycle; unfortunately, for my money, that's where I'd put my flag in the ground if I were to break into the market now. I'd imagine that the demographics associated with the proximity to UNF & the beaches come into play as well.
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 04:03:25 PM
Quote from: Anti redneck on March 06, 2012, 03:53:30 PM
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
I've dealt with traffic much worse.
I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.
Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.
That just stinkin makes my month. I never thought we'd get an REI here.
^^the first in Florida. Take that Orlando, Tampa and Miami! :-)
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 04:19:02 PM
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 04:03:25 PM
Quote from: Anti redneck on March 06, 2012, 03:53:30 PM
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
I've dealt with traffic much worse.
I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.
Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.
Maybe I'm just used to the terrible Cincinnati and Atlanta traffic I used to deal with for years. Jacksonville has it pretty easy, traffic-wise. I also usually get into SJTC from eastbound Gate Parkway. It's pretty smooth that way.
Quote from: fsujax on March 06, 2012, 04:05:55 PM
i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.
You can go in via 9A/295 or St Johns Bluff. I do and save myself time.
All the REIs in North Carolina are in suburban areas. In fact, the only one I've been in that was urban might be the one in Denver proper but located right off an interstate exit with plenty of parking at the edge of a business district.
Quote from: fsquid on March 06, 2012, 05:00:59 PM
All the REIs in North Carolina are in suburban areas. In fact, the only one I've been in that was urban might be the one in Denver proper but located right off an interstate exit with plenty of parking at the edge of a business district.
Exactly my point ;)
REI. What's next? What other stores does Jacksonville have to get to have officially arrived? Macys? Trader joes?
There's a pretty cool outdoors store in that downtown Savannah that's right in the same vein. Last time I was there business seemed to be booming despite the fact that it's still a good drive to get to the mountains from Savannah. I think like Jax they benefit from a great river and the ocean because kayaking seemed to be a big feature in the store. I wish they would put a good quality hiking outfitter in a different area of town, though. I like Black Creek, but I hate driving all the way out there to get some decent hiking gear.
Quote from: Fallen Buckeye on March 06, 2012, 06:27:41 PM
There's a pretty cool outdoors store in that downtown Savannah that's right in the same vein. Last time I was there business seemed to be booming despite the fact that it's still a good drive to get to the mountains from Savannah. I think like Jax they benefit from a great river and the ocean because kayaking seemed to be a big feature in the store. I wish they would put a good quality hiking outfitter in a different area of town, though. I like Black Creek, but I hate driving all the way out there to get some decent hiking gear.
Same with Charleston. May actually be the same store? Half-Moon Outfitters.
Quote from: ben says on March 06, 2012, 06:50:58 PM
Quote from: Fallen Buckeye on March 06, 2012, 06:27:41 PM
There's a pretty cool outdoors store in that downtown Savannah that's right in the same vein. Last time I was there business seemed to be booming despite the fact that it's still a good drive to get to the mountains from Savannah. I think like Jax they benefit from a great river and the ocean because kayaking seemed to be a big feature in the store. I wish they would put a good quality hiking outfitter in a different area of town, though. I like Black Creek, but I hate driving all the way out there to get some decent hiking gear.
Same with Charleston. May actually be the same store? Half-Moon Outfitters.
That's it. Couldn't remember the name. It was the one on Broughton St. Dragged my wife in there. She was bored to tears, but I was in heaven. lol.
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 04:30:52 PM
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 04:19:02 PM
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 04:03:25 PM
Quote from: Anti redneck on March 06, 2012, 03:53:30 PM
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
I've dealt with traffic much worse.
I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.
Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.
Maybe I'm just used to the terrible Cincinnati and Atlanta traffic I used to deal with for years. Jacksonville has it pretty easy, traffic-wise. I also usually get into SJTC from eastbound Gate Parkway. It's pretty smooth that way.
These people who complain about Town Center traffic would cry like babies in Atlanta. ;D
Quote from: blizz01 on March 06, 2012, 04:13:28 PM
It's so predictable that so many will get bent out of joint everytime something new opens at SJTC - like it or not, it makes perfect business sense as that is Jacksonville's big box/chain shopping Mecca.
+100
Quote from: I-10east on March 06, 2012, 08:40:00 PM
Quote from: blizz01 on March 06, 2012, 04:13:28 PM
It's so predictable that so many will get bent out of joint everytime something new opens at SJTC - like it or not, it makes perfect business sense as that is Jacksonville's big box/chain shopping Mecca.
+100
Well, Jax is pretty "predictable" after all. So how long until the Wal-Mart comes?
Some of yall would probably prefer a DT REI that will be gauranteed close in 5 years, than an infinite STJC one. I'm so sick of people getting caught up where things are located! It's in the city of Jax for gawdsakes, who really CARES other than a buncha whiners!!!! Some of yall act like it's a trip to Valdosta or something! The traffic, oh yeah go to New York City, and tell me about traffic!!! Oh, I forgot NYC is urban so it's acceptable. ::)
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 08:45:57 PM
Well, Jax is pretty "predictable" after all. So how long until the Wal-Mart comes?
That would be fine with me.
As a recovering Denverite, I saw REI transform Confluence Park into a location where kayakers could test out their gear. Their enormous building, close to downtown but still a 25 minute hike, has a substantial climbing wall and staff ready to put you into the Platte River to try out your new skid. They could easily (but expensively) create a small Class 2 run for trials. Kind of like Land Rover does at their dealerships.
QuoteSome of yall would probably prefer a DT REI that will be gauranteed close in 5 years, than an infinite STJC one. I'm so sick of people getting caught up where things are located! It's in the city of Jax for gawdsakes, who really CARES other than a buncha whiners!!!! Some of yall act like it's a trip to Valdosta or something! The traffic, oh yeah go to New York City, and tell me about traffic!!! Oh, I forgot NYC is urban so it's acceptable. ::)
Well, at least the NYC store has a subway stop about a block away. But whatever. Good for REI. I'm sorry. I just don't wet myself every time a new place opens at the SJTC.
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 08:55:52 PM
Well, at least the NYC store has a subway stop about a block away.
Yup, the good old MTA, filled with a buncha belligerent beggars, and pickpockets that are steadily looking for a vic(tim).
the main Seattle store is located in a warehouse district off I-5....not exactly in the heart of downtown, but most definitely in the core.
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 08:55:52 PM
QuoteSome of yall would probably prefer a DT REI that will be gauranteed close in 5 years, than an infinite STJC one. I'm so sick of people getting caught up where things are located! It's in the city of Jax for gawdsakes, who really CARES other than a buncha whiners!!!! Some of yall act like it's a trip to Valdosta or something! The traffic, oh yeah go to New York City, and tell me about traffic!!! Oh, I forgot NYC is urban so it's acceptable. ::)
Well, at least the NYC store has a subway stop about a block away. But whatever. Good for REI. I'm sorry. I just don't wet myself every time a new place opens at the SJTC.
Seriously. It's just a store. Bring some more entertainment to town and then I'll get super-excited.
Quote from: thunnus on March 06, 2012, 08:55:15 PM
As a recovering Denverite, I saw REI transform Confluence Park into a location where kayakers could test out their gear. Their enormous building, close to downtown but still a 25 minute hike, has a substantial climbing wall and staff ready to put you into the Platte River to try out your new skid. They could easily (but expensively) create a small Class 2 run for trials. Kind of like Land Rover does at their dealerships.
There is a large retention pond behind the SJTC location. Maybe they'll do something similar. Granted, it's no Platte River, but it would be better than nothing.
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 09:52:10 PM
Quote from: thunnus on March 06, 2012, 08:55:15 PM
As a recovering Denverite, I saw REI transform Confluence Park into a location where kayakers could test out their gear. Their enormous building, close to downtown but still a 25 minute hike, has a substantial climbing wall and staff ready to put you into the Platte River to try out your new skid. They could easily (but expensively) create a small Class 2 run for trials. Kind of like Land Rover does at their dealerships.
There is a large retention pond behind the SJTC location. Maybe they'll do something similar. Granted, it's no Platte River, but it would be better than nothing.
Retention pond? I don't know about that. Something about that just doesn't sound right to me.
^^^I'm with ya on that; Retention ponds are used to retain water not for recreational activities. Although as I speak, I can guarantee that some MJer will pull up a pic, with an example of a "successful recreational retention pond" in some ass-end godforsaken part of the country. LOL
If anything, what it could be is a start for something. There's actually a few surf shops around town not located at the beach. Not just Jax, but many other beach cities as well.
The great mystery to me is why the proposed BRT won't have a stop at SJTC.
Which line? I've always felt that if you need a line to the Beach, the JTB corridor would be a perfect one for either BRT or LRT. It reminds me a lot of San Deigo's Mission Valley corridor, which is served by the trolley's green line.
Quote from: I-10east on March 06, 2012, 11:24:19 PM
^^^I'm with ya on that; Retention ponds are used to retain water not for recreational activities.
don't tell that to Blackcreek Outfitters
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 08:45:57 PM
Well, Jax is pretty "predictable" after all. So how long until the Wal-Mart comes?
Probably not anytime soon.
Quote from: cline on March 06, 2012, 04:19:02 PM
Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.
It isn't as bad as it used to be since they added the second right turn lane on Gate Parkway.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 07, 2012, 07:52:13 AM
Quote from: I-10east on March 06, 2012, 11:24:19 PM
^^^I'm with ya on that; Retention ponds are used to retain water not for recreational activities.
don't tell that to Blackcreek Outfitters
::)
Quote from: thelakelander on March 07, 2012, 07:17:54 AM
Which line? I've always felt that if you need a line to the Beach, the JTB corridor would be a perfect one for either BRT or LRT. It reminds me a lot of San Deigo's Mission Valley corridor, which is served by the trolley's green line.
I met with JTA a couple of months ago to talk about BRT. The initial corridors will be SE and north. The next will be to the east on Arlington Expressway, turn south on Southside Blvd then east on Beach Blvd. So the closest it gets to SJTC is the intersection of Southside and Beach. It also misses UNF.
Hopefully there is time to lobby for a route adjustment.
http://www.jtafla.com/JTAFuturePlans/Bus/Default.aspx?page=System%20Map&pid=16 (http://www.jtafla.com/JTAFuturePlans/Bus/Default.aspx?page=System%20Map&pid=16)
Quote from: dougskiles on March 07, 2012, 11:44:07 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 07, 2012, 07:17:54 AM
Which line? I've always felt that if you need a line to the Beach, the JTB corridor would be a perfect one for either BRT or LRT. It reminds me a lot of San Deigo's Mission Valley corridor, which is served by the trolley's green line.
I met with JTA a couple of months ago to talk about BRT. The initial corridors will be SE and north. The next will be to the east on Arlington Expressway, turn south on Southside Blvd then east on Beach Blvd. So the closest it gets to SJTC is the intersection of Southside and Beach. It also misses UNF.
Hopefully there is time to lobby for a route adjustment.
http://www.jtafla.com/JTAFuturePlans/Bus/Default.aspx?page=System%20Map&pid=16 (http://www.jtafla.com/JTAFuturePlans/Bus/Default.aspx?page=System%20Map&pid=16)
You mean that JTA is clueless when it comes to BRT routes? I'm shocked!
We need an REI or Blackcreek Outfitters downtown to equip our population of urban outdoorsmen. :D
REI at the SJTC is set to open on March 1, 2013. *que the mandatory incessant traffic and parking at SJTC comments; SMH, sigh*
www.rei.com/stores/jacksonville.html
^ Just for you I-10....
"Maybe REI will sell me a kayak with wheels so I can paddle my way through the Town Center sea of parking"! :)
Quote from: ben says on March 07, 2012, 09:22:07 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 07, 2012, 07:52:13 AM
Quote from: I-10east on March 06, 2012, 11:24:19 PM
^^^I'm with ya on that; Retention ponds are used to retain water not for recreational activities.
don't tell that to Blackcreek Outfitters
::)
I've also seen some of the R/C model sailboat people using the retention pond next to the WJCT building. Why not?
Quote from: Jason on February 18, 2013, 08:53:08 AM
^ Just for you I-10....
"Maybe REI will sell me a kayak with wheels so I can paddle my way through the Town Center sea of parking"! :)
LOL, I gotta give you points for creativity on that one. :)
Jax's REI will serve as a prototype for the future FL stores.
www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/retail_radar/2013/02/jacksonville-rei-store-will-serve-as-a.html
REI opens today.
(http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/lead_photo_wide/12024777.jpg)
http://jacksonville.com/business/2013-02-28/story/here-comes-800-pound-outdoor-gorilla-rei-opens-jacksonville-today (http://jacksonville.com/business/2013-02-28/story/here-comes-800-pound-outdoor-gorilla-rei-opens-jacksonville-today)
That will now be 4 Seattle based firms who have landed in Jax.
- Costco
- Nordstroms
- REI
- Starbucks
Quote from: RiversideLoki on March 06, 2012, 03:02:37 PM
Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?
Lots of people, you will be surprised.
Quote from: John P on March 06, 2012, 06:25:48 PM
REI. What's next? What other stores does Jacksonville have to get to have officially arrived? Macys? Trader joes?
Maserati?
Quote from: Coolyfett on March 01, 2013, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: John P on March 06, 2012, 06:25:48 PM
REI. What's next? What other stores does Jacksonville have to get to have officially arrived? Macys? Trader joes?
Maserati?
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2012/06/28/hanania-automotive-to-open-maserati.html
http://jacksonville.com/autos/2013-02-28/story/exotic-maserati-line-be-sold-jacksonville
If REI is the 800-pound gorilla, what does that make Bass Pro Shops?
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 01, 2013, 12:42:51 PM
If REI is the 800-pound gorilla, what does that make Bass Pro Shops?
120,000 pound Right Whale?
Quote from: ben says on March 06, 2012, 03:33:21 PM
The old Fuel spot in five points would have been a really cool location...
It does not fit their model.
Quote from: Anti redneck on March 06, 2012, 11:04:47 PM
Quote from: CMYKyle on March 06, 2012, 09:52:10 PM
Quote from: thunnus on March 06, 2012, 08:55:15 PM
As a recovering Denverite, I saw REI transform Confluence Park into a location where kayakers could test out their gear. Their enormous building, close to downtown but still a 25 minute hike, has a substantial climbing wall and staff ready to put you into the Platte River to try out your new skid. They could easily (but expensively) create a small Class 2 run for trials. Kind of like Land Rover does at their dealerships.
There is a large retention pond behind the SJTC location. Maybe they'll do something similar. Granted, it's no Platte River, but it would be better than nothing.
Retention pond? I don't know about that. Something about that just doesn't sound right to me.
Black Creek Outfitters lets customers try out kayaks and paddle boards in the retention pond behind the store. They are probably not happy with REI coming to Jax. A lot of their stuff follows REI stock.
Quote from: I-10east on February 18, 2013, 06:19:54 PM
Quote from: Jason on February 18, 2013, 08:53:08 AM
^ Just for you I-10....
"Maybe REI will sell me a kayak with wheels so I can paddle my way through the Town Center sea of parking"! :)
LOL, I gotta give you points for creativity on that one. :)
They will sell you a pretty good pair of high tech hiking boots.
I went to their VIP event last night. It's a nice store. Lots of people were there representing local outdoor oriented organizations and businesses, including the owners of Black Creek Outfitters.
Quote from: Overstreet on March 01, 2013, 01:21:35 PM
Quote from: ben says on March 06, 2012, 03:33:21 PM
The old Fuel spot in five points would have been a really cool location...
It does not fit their model.
And it's not nearly big enough. It is also stilled mired in litigation with the roofer's insurance company that refuses to pay for the damage done when the roofer left the roof open to a thunderstorm.