About REI
REI offers a unique shopping experience for outdoor gear enthusiasts, featuring a large, beautifully renovated store with a strong emphasis on customer service and a wide selection of products. However, the parking policy can be frustrating for families spending significant time in the store.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking to invest in quality outdoor gear for activities like camping, hiking, and kayakingParents wanting to combine shopping with a day out in a scenic locationChildren and teenagers interested in outdoor activities and gearParents looking for family-friendly outdoor equipment
Why families love it
- Large store with a beautiful aesthetic and renovated brick building
- Friendly and helpful staff who are knowledgeable about products
- Free parking for the first 90 minutes, which is beneficial for quick visits
- Proximity to a Starbucks and outdoor areas near the river for additional family activities
- Wide variety of outdoor gear suitable for all ages
- Helpful staff willing to assist with product selection and advice
Insider tips
- Double-check prices and clearance signs before purchasing to avoid overcharges
- Consider ordering online and picking up in-store for a more efficient experience
- Plan your visit to utilize the first 90 minutes of free parking effectively
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during peak hours when the store is likely to be crowded
- Staying longer than 90 minutes to avoid high parking fees
- High parking fees after the initial free period, which can be as much as $30 for overstaying
- Inconsistent pricing and unclear signage leading to potential overcharges
- Difficult navigation within the store due to its size and poor signage
- Crowds
- The store can get busy during weekends and holidays, making it harder to navigate.
- Value
- While the store offers a wide range of quality outdoor products, parents should be aware of the potential for high parking fees ($20-$30) after the free period, which can diminish the value of their shopping experience.
- Food
- Food and drink are available from the attached Starbucks, but outside food may not be permitted within the store.
What parents say
"I love this store and come in all the time, but I am very frustrated. My husband I just spent a little over 2 hours in the store talking with staff and trying things on to make sure these big purchases that we will spend a lot of time using and supporting our bodies with will be a good use of our 20% coupons. Very easy to spend that long when you are looking at packs, shoes, sleeping bags, etc. We leave and have to pay $20 in parking... which makes the thoughtful attention we spent in the store looking at different prices completely a waste of time. Why is a private company profiting off of pa"
a month ago
"Look, I like REI most the time, and I do think this is a good store overall. However, what just happened to me was so frustrating, and other customers deserve to be warned. I was excited to find some smart wool socks on clearance for about half price. So, I bought two pairs. And double checked they were in the row marked as clearance (they were). After a long time in the store, I was excited to finally return to my car, whereupon I double checked everything on the receipt to discover that they had charged me TWICE what they should have charged for the socks. So I re-enter the store, wait at cu"
3 months ago
"Such a large story and renovated so beautifully. Biggest REI I have ever seen. The restored brick building is beautiful inside and outside. This is also attached to a Starbucks coffee which is very convenient if you want to walk down the river. Parking is free for first 90 minutes!"
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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