Meaghan M. McDermott

@meagmc

Seattle-based outdoors outfitter Recreational Equipment, Inc. — better known as REI — plans to open a store this fall in Rochester's CityGate development.

According to a press release, the new 27,000-square-foot store will feature the top brands of outdoor gear and apparel for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, travel and paddling, and the bike shop will provide cyclists with expert assembly and repair services. The stores will also offer expert advice from in-store guides and classes through REI Outdoor School.

“We are thrilled to be able to better serve our members and partner with the outdoor communities in Rochester and Winter Park,” said Greg Medlyn, REI’s divisional vice president of retail. Another store is planned for Winter Park, Florida, in 2017.

“From the Finger Lakes to the Chain of Lakes, Rochester and Winter Park are two communities with a passion for a life outdoors and we look forward to helping local adventurers get outside.”

The new store on the CityGate site will be located on the north side of the Erie Canal. The store will carry gear for snow and water sports as well as the co-op’s traditional assortment. According to the press release, REI Rochester will serve nearly 3,000 active members in the region who currently visit the nearest store in Pittsburgh, more than 280 miles away.

When complete, the 45-acre CityGate development at the intersection of East Henrietta and Westfall roads, is expected to include a 150-room hotel, a 300-unit apartment complex on the Erie Canal as well as a host of retail and office space. Anthony J. Costello & Son Development said last year that nine stores were planning to join the CityGate project, but have not yet made any other official announcements about which retailers those might be.

"Anthony J. Costello & Son Development is pleased to welcome REI to the growing CityGate community," said Brett Costello, company president. "REI brings a new national retailer to Rochester, creating jobs and a shopping destination for not only area residents, but people living throughout both western and central New York and beyond."

According to plans filed last year with the Rochester Planning Commission, REI will be part of the third phase of the $200 million CityGate project. That phase will also include a four-story 90,000-square-foot mixed-use residential/commercial building.

Outdoors retailer REI at CityGate?

"When REI chose to locate at CityGate on the Erie Canal, it recognized the potential of all the opportunities that come with being located on the historic waterway," said Costello. "It's the same potential my family recognized when we purchased the land. We're proud to way that vision is quickly becoming a reality and we look forward to continued development at CityGate and improvements along the Erie Canalway corridor that borders CityGate."

REI, seller of camping, fishing, hiking, cycling, paddling, rock-climbing and other outdoors-related gear and equipment, is the nation's largest consumer cooperative. Members pay a one-time fee of $20 for a lifetime membership in the co-op, and are entitled to an annual 10 percent dividend based on eligible annual purchases, depending on company performance. The co-op has more than 5.5 million members and in 2014 had annual revenues of $2.2 billion and returned $168 million as dividend.

REI currently has 143 stores in 35 states.

MCDERMOT@Gannett.com