REI Co-op to open first Kentucky store in Louisville this fall. Here’s where

Get ready, outdoor lovers. REI Co-op will open its first Kentucky store in Louisville this fall.

Located just off interstates 265 and 71 in the Paddock Shops at 4350 Summit Plaza Drive, REI will sell outdoor gear and apparel for camping, cycling, hiking, running, fitness, climbing, and more, plus offer a bike shop staffed with certified mechanics, according to a press release announcing the opening.

“We have been interested in Louisville for nearly a decade,” Lindsay Struve, REI regional director, said in the press release. “Even prior to announcing our new store, more than 29,000 REI members from the community have connected with the co-op for their outdoor adventures through our online resources and stores in adjacent states. As we open our doors, we are also excited to develop lasting partnerships with local nonprofits to support their efforts to welcome more people outside.”

Customers can expect high-quality gear and assistance from the largest consumer co-op in the nation, with a store size of 31,100 square feet. Previously, Louisville REI members would have to shop online or make a trek to the nearest REI storefront in Cincinnati, Ohio, 95 miles away.

Everyone is welcome to shop REI but “members who join the co-op enjoy a wide range of benefits, including a used gear trade-in program called Re/Supply; discounts on shop services and experiences; a share of the co-op’s annual profits based on qualifying purchases; and more,” the release states.

It’s a one-time $30 fee to join. For each REI membership purchased, the co-op donates $5 to the REI Cooperative Action Fund. As part of the Louisville opening, a local non-profit will receive a donation from the fund, as well, according to the release.

REI plans to hire 50 employees at this new location. Application information can be found at REI.jobs.

Reach business intern Bailey Reed at breed1@gannett.com.