REI set to open on Friday at Nebraska Crossing | Local Business News

That’s what retailer REI guarantees to supply when it opens its doorways Friday morning at Gretna’s Nebraska Crossing.

With an in depth stock consisting of outside recreation clothes and gear for such actions as tenting, mountain climbing, water actions, biking and health, persons are eagerly anticipating the opening of the 22,000-square-foot retailer, retailer supervisor Josh O’Connell mentioned Wednesday. The shop additionally features a full-service bike store and equipment leases.

Potential clients have been wandering into the retail house solely to be politely knowledgeable that the shop just isn’t but open.

When it opens, O’Connell mentioned, REI’s first — and thus far solely — Nebraska location might be a spot the place out of doors lovers and newcomers can really feel snug.

“For the specialists, that is their haven. I believe for these non-experts, this can be a place the place you’ll be able to are available and really feel snug asking questions,” he mentioned. “It’s about having enjoyable once you’re right here.”

With the shop situated between Omaha and Lincoln, REI matches into the imaginative and prescient of Rod Yates, Nebraska Crossing’s proprietor and developer, for bringing in vacation spot retailers to draw residents from all through the area.

“I believe the development sooner or later is retailers will in all probability open much less shops and attempt to serve a much bigger commerce space with their bodily retailer and their on-line channel,” Yates mentioned.

The general public’s curiosity in an REI retailer was mirrored within the hiring course of this summer time.

O’Connell, a 22-year veteran of the retail business, mentioned he was pleasantly shocked that the shop had no hassle filling its roster of roughly 50 workers. Greater than 200 folks utilized for the positions. He mentioned about 58% of the Nebraska retailer’s workers are girls.

O’Connell credit REI’s pay scale for its potential to draw workers. Hourly associates begin at $16.55 per hour and mechanics begin at $18.30 per hour. Advantages embrace two paid “Co-op Manner Days” annually to permit workers to get pleasure from out of doors actions and a paid day without work on Black Friday.

Along with pay, O’Connell mentioned REI encourages a lighthearted work ambiance.

“We’ve got lots of people (who) have been simply itching to be a part of this,” he mentioned.

The shop’s opening weekend will embrace three days of festivities, occasions and promotions held in partnership with a number of neighborhood organizations. Common enterprise hours might be from 10 a.m. to eight p.m. Mondays by Saturdays and 11 a.m. to six p.m. Sundays.