New Outdoor Activities Store Builds Large Warehouse and Extensive Parking Lot 

A new REI — a sporting goods, camping gear and outdoor recreation store —  opened its doors  this  November in College Station. The new location is abuzz with excitement, especially by the college town’s outdoor enthusiasts and those who pay monthly for Stone Co. memberships. 

The location’s new hires are excited about their new positions. 

“I know there aren’t a lot of natural recreation areas left in this town, but we’re hoping that introducing another massive warehouse and parking complex will bring the number down to zero square feet,” bike shop manager Jason Alma said. 

Alma is an experienced mountain biker and surfer, which is why he relocated to College Station for its luscious forests, rolling hills and sandy beaches.

This job opening has proven competitive thanks to REI’s competitive wages and employee perks like brand-name discounts. Many applications were submitted from current Outdoor Adventures employees, but these were all denied as they were dubbed the “Walmart version of REI employees” by the hiring manager.

Geosciences junior and self-proclaimed flower child Ella Jeanny is excited for the new location to open its doors.

“I noticed everyone around me has a Northface backpack,” Jeanny said. “I thought, ‘I need one too, and where better to buy one than REI?’ When I heard the store was opening, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to spend hundreds of dollars on an outdoorsy backpack that will only hold my Macbook Pro, Amazon pencil bag and Olivia Rodrigo Stanley Cup.” 

The store had its grand opening weekend early this November. Following that event, Aggie Outdoors officers were reportedly trying to move the organization’s weekly meetings to REI for the spring semester. 

— Rudder Ducky