REI Co-op​​ Is Coming To Orland Park This Fall

ORLAND PARK, IL — REI Co-op is opening a new store in Orland Park this fall, bringing a wide assortment of quality gear, experiences and expertise for the region’s most popular outdoor activities, according to a news release.

The store will be located at 15515 South 95th Ave., and is 20,000 square-feet. According to the release, the store will offer a specialty bike and Nordic ski shop for customers to tune or repair equipment. The Orland spot will be the fifth location in Illinois, adding a place to stop for the 535,000 lifetime REI members in the state.

"The Village of Orland Park offers many wonderful locations to play outdoors through green spaces, trails and waterways. We look forward to becoming an active part of the community by serving as a resource to residents’ and visitors’ active lifestyles and investing in natural spaces that are so important for everyone’s health and wellness," said Michelle Yancy, REI Regional Director for the Midwest region.

According to the release, REI Orland Park will also offer a range of classes and guided outdoor experiences to connect people to a life outdoors. Year-round and seasonal programming will be similar to other locations in the region.

The release states that day tours and events include hikes to iconic locations, paddling the Chicago River and Saganashkee Slough, and outdoor skills including navigation and survival. A national leader in outdoor experiences, REI helps more than 300,000 people across the country get outside on average each year, according to the release.

REI has been part of the Illinois outdoor community for nearly three decades, and opened its first store in 1991, according to the release. Each year REI invests millions of dollars in nonprofits across the country to steward and maintain local trails, parks and public lands, while connecting people to the outdoors.

Since 2018, REI has invested over $320,000 in local outdoor nonprofits in Illinois. This investment included funds for the Friends of Big Marsh, Active Transportation Alliance Friends of the Chicago River, Forest Preserve Foundation and Friends of Forest Preserves, according to the release. As REI gets closer to opening in Orland Park, the co-op plans to invest further in the local outdoor community.

REI anticipates hiring more than 45 employees for the Orland Park location. The release says benefits that come with the job include generous product and service discounts, competitive pay and retirement contributions. Perks include two paid “Co-op Way Days” each year that allow employees to enjoy their favorite outdoor activity and an additional paid day off on Black Friday, to encourage all employees to #OptOutside. Those interested in applying to any REI location can do so here.

For more information, check out the REI website, here.

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