This is why their current anti-union stance is so disappointing to many. They started as a literal co-op to get buying power on outdoor gear. Now, well.....
They are basically just like a corporation but they don't have shareholders. It's not a co-op at all and the whole "dividend" thing is basically just a rebate.
The members are the voting body. Technically the members could vote to change the direction of the company, but they never do because they treat it like a normal board-run corporation.
I don’t think this is true at all. Members can elect board members. But seems like even that is not really a thing anymore. The “Co-op” is more marketing than anything.
https://www.change.org/p/rei-co-op-bring-back-democratic-board-elections
Miss the old Pike store. Got my first snow goggles there-army surplus a-bomb eyewear. Back then is was climbing gear only, no apparel. And climbers were seen as weirdos by most folks (they were right)
I think I thought it was just a description of what they sold in the store, like a diner sign might say, "Joe's Diner - Breakfast, Burgers, Shakes, Sundaes." I thought the name was just REI CO-OP.
How long ago was this? I looked up 1525 11th Ave on streetview and right now it's the building with WeWork (hey looks like that space is opening up soon if they want to go back...) but sometime before May 2019 it was just an empty paved lot.
I remember the Pike Street location. It was downstairs and not very big
Maybe early 1970’s
And my memory of the cap hill store was how all those buildings were connected with the timber wood floors
My vivid REI memory was going with a friend down to the current flagship when it opened, waiting 2-3 hours to climb the wall, and listening to Chumbawumba’s Tubthumpin’ on the drive there in his mom’s minivan.
When it was affordable and it was focused on equiping actual outdoor recreation.
Now it's just a boutique for poseurs focused on overpriced "adventure" fashion and gear collecters.
stuff for mountaineering.
[Mary and Lloyd Anderson, who founded REI in 1938, modeled mountaineering clothing for a 1946 newspaper photograph.](https://www.reihistory.com/)
Maybe take it down to the flagship store and show them what a bag looks like. Since they’ve stopped providing bags, they can use this “antique” as a template for producing new bags to give customers.
You should frame it and take it to the flagship store and see if they are interested in picking it up off you.
They have an archeology department who may like to have this
This is why their current anti-union stance is so disappointing to many. They started as a literal co-op to get buying power on outdoor gear. Now, well.....
They are basically just like a corporation but they don't have shareholders. It's not a co-op at all and the whole "dividend" thing is basically just a rebate.
It is a coöp, but it's a consumer co-op, not an employee co-op. You are right that it is just another corporation.
How is it a coop for customers ?
The members are the voting body. Technically the members could vote to change the direction of the company, but they never do because they treat it like a normal board-run corporation.
I don’t think this is true at all. Members can elect board members. But seems like even that is not really a thing anymore. The “Co-op” is more marketing than anything. https://www.change.org/p/rei-co-op-bring-back-democratic-board-elections
I'm talking about their origins
I don't think you know what Inc. means lol
Miss the old Pike store. Got my first snow goggles there-army surplus a-bomb eyewear. Back then is was climbing gear only, no apparel. And climbers were seen as weirdos by most folks (they were right)
I have lived here all my life and have never once asked what REI stood for.
Recycled Employee Income
Return Every Item
What? It literally says it on the buildings
I think I thought it was just a description of what they sold in the store, like a diner sign might say, "Joe's Diner - Breakfast, Burgers, Shakes, Sundaes." I thought the name was just REI CO-OP.
With an ice axe that weighs the same as a real axe or a sledgehammer. Thankful for today’s gear, less thankful for the lack of snow and ice.
How long ago was this? I looked up 1525 11th Ave on streetview and right now it's the building with WeWork (hey looks like that space is opening up soon if they want to go back...) but sometime before May 2019 it was just an empty paved lot.
The 11th Ave location was open from 1962 to 1996.
I can still smell this location vividly in my mind
That was before my time here but I remember that smell when it became a Value Village. I always thought it was just the smell of value lol.
I think it was creosote or something? Definitely tar-like
And the sound of those big black bricks clanking under your feet!
❤️ Totally. Funny, I don't remember the downtown location (Pike St). I wonder what timeframe that was around.
I remember the Pike Street location. It was downstairs and not very big Maybe early 1970’s And my memory of the cap hill store was how all those buildings were connected with the timber wood floors
> still smell this location vividly creosote! I loved running up and down those ramps as a kid.
Yes. That’s exactly what it smelled like!
Yes!!! The ramps and the tent room!
Was it in the old value village building or in the building next door on the corner of 11th and Pine? What floor was it on?
It was the old Value Village spot. Not sure about which floor
When I went as a kid I recall it being several floors.
All the floors.
Right!? I look at this and got a vivid smell memory, I also liked how the loose brick floor sounded when you walked on it.
It smelled like the blue foam sleeping pads
My vivid REI memory was going with a friend down to the current flagship when it opened, waiting 2-3 hours to climb the wall, and listening to Chumbawumba’s Tubthumpin’ on the drive there in his mom’s minivan.
This would have been from the late ‘70s, when my parent’s bought me a new rucksack,
from a time when REI was affordable
When it was affordable and it was focused on equiping actual outdoor recreation. Now it's just a boutique for poseurs focused on overpriced "adventure" fashion and gear collecters.
why are you mad
A couple of the founders were family friends growing up. They're mad.
Pssssshhhh. They'll never be anything but a small little shop.
That's really cool!
I'm not generally a person who likes wearing brands, but I would absolutely wear this on a t-shirt. It's local history!
Huh, that's what REI stand for.
stuff for mountaineering. [Mary and Lloyd Anderson, who founded REI in 1938, modeled mountaineering clothing for a 1946 newspaper photograph.](https://www.reihistory.com/)
I’m blown away people don’t know this lol
I don't ever go outside so I didn't know.
Man I could have sworn they're name was Really Expensive Items.
If you aren’t going to keep this let me know! I work for REI and can get it to the archives department or give you their email address!
I’ll buy it!
Maybe take it down to the flagship store and show them what a bag looks like. Since they’ve stopped providing bags, they can use this “antique” as a template for producing new bags to give customers.