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Outdoor retailer REI Co-op plans to move its Encinitas store to Carlsbad next year, part of a growth plan in California and beyond. The 2025 store openings, announced Friday, include

Carlsbad, Chico and Elk Grove, along with locations in New York, Colorado and Washington. Plans for 2026 include new stores in Texas and Utah. REI’s Encinitas store, which opened in 2004,

will give way for Carlsbad, a larger space of 28,000 square feet in La Costa Town Square, 3415 Via Montebello. All interested REI Encinitas employees may move to the Carlsbad location, with

the opening expected next spring. The company also will expand its Kearny Mesa location, which has served the public since 1994. “Cities that will have new stores represent communities that

serve as a gateway to some of the country’s most incredible natural places and where our members currently live or destinations where they love to play outside,” said Mary-Farrell Tarbox,

REI vice president of stores. Each new REI store will offer a wide assortment of apparel and gear for camping, hiking, cycling, running and fitness, climbing, and more. In addition, every

store will feature a full-service bike shop staffed by certified mechanics to tune and repair mountain, road, hybrid or e-bikes. REI has 11 stores in Southern California. By the end of 2024,

the co-op will have opened 10 stores. Recent grand openings have been held in Rancho Mirage and Glendale, Ariz., in addition to five other locations throughout the country. In addition to

the six stores scheduled for 2025, the co-op will make capital investments in its current fleet to improve the employee workplace and customer experience.