REI store coming to Jax

[ben says]

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.

[Fallen Buckeye]

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.

[Anti redneck]

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. 

[I-10east]

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

[cline]

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? 

[I-10east]

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.   

[I-10east]

Well, Jax is pretty "predictable" after all.  So how long until the Wal-Mart comes? 

That would be fine with me.

[thunnus]

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.

[cline]

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.   

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.

[I-10east]

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).

[tufsu1]

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.

[Anti redneck]

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.   

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.

[CMYKyle]

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.

[Anti redneck]

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-10east]

^^^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