Outdoor retailer REI to open first Maine store in Westbrook

Seattle-based outdoor retailer REI plans to open its first location in Maine this fall at the Rock Row mixed-use development in Westbrook.

The nearly 25,000-square-foot store will serve as a home base for the co-op’s 47,000 members in Maine, the retailer said Monday. REI, which stands for Recreational Equipment Inc., said it plans to hire nearly 50 workers to staff the location.

“A part of the New England community since we opened our first store in Massachusetts in 1987, we’re thrilled to expand our regional presence with our first store in Maine,” said Becky Smith, REI’s Northeast regional director, in a statement. “We are especially excited to share a passion with the community for spending time outside year-round, from trekking through the snow to paddling along the coast.”

The store will feature a bike shop, ski and snowboard shop, curbside pickup for online purchases and “virtual outfitting,” the company said.

As a member-owned co-op, REI shares annual profits with its members and invests in their local communities, it said. REI operates about 165 stores in 39 states, employs about 15,000 workers and has annual sales of over $3 billion.