Recreational Equipment, Inc., or REI as it is more commonly known, is planning an Athens outpost, the company’s first location outside of the greater metro Atlanta area and sixth in Georgia.
The American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation is slated to open in the Beechwood Shopping Center, according to an announcement shared by Athens’ District 10 commissioner, Mike Hamby.
Beechwood Shopping Center Developer David Mulkey was the first to post the news, writing on Facebook that REI would open in fall 2022. REI will likely replace the 38,422 square foot space vacated by Stein Mart during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An official announcement has yet to be made by REI or Austin Sumner Properties, the Brokerage Representation firm for Beechwood Shopping Center, and a request for comment by What Now Atlanta has not been returned.
Beechwood Shopping Center has been undergoing consistent renovations and beautifications over the course of the pandemic and has amassed a significant number of national and international chain-brand tenants including Starbucks, The Fresh Market, TJ Maxx, Crunch, and CVS.
According to leasing documents, the shopping center is also planned to be the future home of Crumbl Cookies which would also be the first location outside of metro Atlanta for the fast-growing gourmet cookie shop.
