REI

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Can anyone explain to me why anyone would even care about about REI?  Its a friggin sports/outdoor store and we have a dozen of them already and I had never even heard of it before this controversy with the park.

REI is for the people who backpack, hike and camp in the Grand Canyon/Moab/Yosemite/California Sierras/ and the Rockies. Think of it this way, Bass Pro/Cabella's/Gander Mountain/Dick's is = Barnes & Noble, REI = Decopolis.

Want to hike in the New Zealand Alps? https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/pacific/new-zealand-hiking-southern-alps.html

[PhiAlpha]

Can anyone explain to me why anyone would even care about about REI?  Its a friggin sports/outdoor store and we have a dozen of them already and I had never even heard of it before this controversy with the park.

I have a feeling you would care a lot more about it if Tulsa was getting one , but it's a great and unique sporting goods store that focuses on hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing and river sports. Tulsa may have smaller stores that fit that niche now (as does OKC), but nothing remotely close to REI. It would be a great fit for Tulsa which is why I think it will get one eventually.

[TheArtist]

I have a feeling you would care a lot more about it if Tulsa was getting one , but it's a great and unique sporting goods store that focuses on hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing and river sports. Tulsa may have smaller stores that fit that niche now (as does OKC), but nothing remotely close to REI. It would be a great fit for Tulsa which is why I think it will get one eventually.

No, really I could care less lol. Like I have said, I have never been to one, and never heard of it before all the controversy.  Never looked at their stuff online before either but I don't hike, bike or backpack. Heard there are bugs and things out there in "nature" so I will just stay here in the city where things can be properly organized, sprayed, pruned and well kept. 

[TheArtist]

REI is for the people who backpack, hike and camp in the Grand Canyon/Moab/Yosemite/California Sierras/ and the Rockies. Think of it this way, Bass Pro/Cabella's/Gander Mountain/Dick's is = Barnes & Noble, REI = Decopolis.

Want to hike in the New Zealand Alps? https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/pacific/new-zealand-hiking-southern-alps.html

I will take that as a compliment lol.

[PhiAlpha]

No, really I could care less lol. Like I have said, I have never been to one, and never heard of it before all the controversy.  Never looked at their stuff online before either but I don't hike, bike or backpack. Heard there are bugs and things out there in "nature" so I will just stay here in the city where things can be properly organized, sprayed, pruned and well kept. 

hahaha fair enough

[swake]

Tulsa will be getting a REI.

This is was just a message from our developer overlords via a pouting Tulsa World story to never again go against their plans. Or else. "The unwashed masses messed it all up!"

[dbacksfan 2.0]

I will take that as a compliment lol.

Yes, very much so. Quality over quantity.

[BKDotCom]

I think it's officially dead

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-raises-white-flag-on-proposed-rei-project-developer-claims-he-was-left-out-of/article_239e980e-40d2-11ec-99c1-973b05953815.html#tracking-source=home-breaking

[swake]

I think it's officially dead

https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-raises-white-flag-on-proposed-rei-project-developer-claims-he-was-left-out-of/article_239e980e-40d2-11ec-99c1-973b05953815.html#tracking-source=home-breaking

Good, there are so many other potential spots for that retail center, even ones with access to the trail system.

[SXSW]

Good, there are so many other potential spots for that retail center, even ones with access to the trail system.

It doesn't have access to the trail system but I've always thought the old Borders at 21st & the BA would be a good spot for REI.  Or possibly as part of the mixed-use development planned around Crow Creek by the Gathering Place.

[DowntownDan]

Didn't the rendering have a huge blank wall facing the trail? Seems disingenuous for the developer to say the trail was important. The sales price was also problematic. We have such low self-esteem as a city we just give stuff away for anything with a name to bless us with their presence. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

Was never gonna survive.   The place in the Farm is gone - can't remember the name even right now.  Tulsa isn't that kind of place.

[SXSW]

Was never gonna survive.   The place in the Farm is gone - can't remember the name even right now.  Tulsa isn't that kind of place.

Backwoods.  And disagree an REI would do really well in Tulsa.  We have more outdoor recreational opportunities near us than any other comparable city in the central region.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Backwoods.  And disagree an REI would do really well in Tulsa.  We have more outdoor recreational opportunities near us than any other comparable city in the central region.

We have lots of great stuff to do around here!   I have harped on it for decades to friends, family, anyone who would listen.   But in the end, we couldn't even keep Backwoods going in a very similar retail space on several levels.  And what they didn't have is pretty well covered by a bunch of other sporting goods stores already here.  Some of which seem to be very 'slow' in business now when I go into them.

[SXSW]

We have lots of great stuff to do around here!   I have harped on it for decades to friends, family, anyone who would listen.   But in the end, we couldn't even keep Backwoods going in a very similar retail space on several levels.  And what they didn't have is pretty well covered by a bunch of other sporting goods stores already here.  Some of which seem to be very 'slow' in business now when I go into them.

Likely hurt by online sales like most traditional retail. So-called "experiential" retail is still doing well which is something REI provides along with name and brand recognition.  They have an OKC store, not sure how it performs but Tulsa is a lot more outdoors-oriented than OKC.