REI to Open Soho Store This Weekend
Posted on November 30, 2011
REI will open its first New York City at the beginning of next month. REI will celebrate the grand opening of its 35,000-square-foot REI SoHo store in the Puck Building on December 2 through 4. The Puck Building is the original home of Puck magazine and J. Ottman Lithographic Company.
Tim Spangler, REI's senior vice president of Retail, says, "Our first store in New York City is the keystone for our six Tri-State locations working together to outfit the abundance of outdoor enthusiasts and visitors in the greater New York City area. As one of our most extensive restoration projects to date, REI SoHo provides a unique opportunity to blend our nearly 75-year history with the iconic legacy of the Puck Building."
Here are some higlights of REI's SoHo store:
- The building's brick walls and ceilings, and steel columns were exposed to honor the original structure as it appeared in the late 1890's
- A central stairwell connects the main floor with two sub-grade shopping levels, open to the public for the first time
- Wood from the original construction was repurposed into the store's cashier counters and canopies, display tables, chair railings, mirrors, wall coverings, signage and more
- Two focal chandeliers were refurbished by partnering with local artist Robert Odgen
- Two 14-foot flywheels from the building's original steam power plant are showcased on the cellar level near historical walls featuring REI's founders, Lloyd and Mary Anderson, and the Puck Building heritage
- Approximately 30 original stone printing tablets discovered during construction and dating back to the early 1900's are displayed near the cellar level cashier area
- Bike and ski shop services on two levels
- Outdoor classes and trips through REI Outdoor School and REI Adventures
The flywheels are certainly a unique and interesting addition.
Here's a timelapse video showing the store's construction.
And here a walking tour of the large store.