REI to open store at Stonecreek Village in Stockton, California

Stockton-based Stone Brothers & Associates and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, today announced that REI will open a store at Stonecreek Village, Stockton’s first upscale retail center currently under construction. The new 26,000 square-foot, two-story store will anchor the 15-acre Stonecreek Village located at the corner of Pacific Avenue and West Robinhood Drive. This addition will join New York & Company, AnnTaylor LOFT, Eddie Bauer, J. Jill, Talbots, Cacique, Coldwater Creek, Aveda Lifestyle Salon, Lane Bryant, Jos. A. Bank, Juice It Up!, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Boudin SF slated for opening in the spring of 2008.

“The Stockton area is close to many wonderful recreation areas for paddling, camping, hiking, cycling and more. With this new location, we look forward to serving the outdoor needs of the more than 94,000 REI members that live in the region,” said Kevin House, REI retail director. “We’re excited to partner with the Stockton community and local nonprofit organizations to protect our shared natural spaces and work together to increase the number of people recreating in the outdoors.”

REI offers top brands for outdoor recreation, including its own line of award-winning branded gear and clothing. The store will include full service ski and bike shops, in addition to clinic space for classes, presentations and events. REI is known for its broad product offerings, knowledgeable employees and involvement in the community in which the co-op operates. The company is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

The REI Stockton store will employ approximately 70 full- and part-time staff and join the co-op’s 12 other northern California locations. New stores in Marina and Fresno will open this fall. While anyone may shop at REI, co-op members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the company’s profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases.

“The addition of this leading national outdoor retailer is a perfect fit for Stonecreek Village and nicely complements the stores and restaurants already committed to the project,” said Stone Brothers & Associates Principal Developer Jay Allen. “The project is developing nicely and we are looking forward to the opening of BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in mid-September.”

Stonecreek Village will be Stockton’s first upscale lifestyle center. A lifestyle center is a shopping center or mixed-use commercial development that combines the traditional retail offerings of a shopping mall with leisure amenities oriented towards upscale consumers. Phase one of Stonecreek Village will include more than 161,000 square feet of street-level retail space and second level office space. The center will serve as one of the key four corners of Stockton’s busy retail hub at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Robinhood Drive – ideally positioned to become the “Main and Main” of North Stockton. Once complete, Stonecreek Village will be home to more than 30 national retailers, specialty boutiques, restaurants and cafés.

About REI
REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventures. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores – REI.com and REI-OUTLET.com – and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from all of the top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, outdoor fitness, paddling, snow sports and travel, including its own line of award-winning gear and apparel.

About Stone Brothers & Associates
Stone Brothers & Associates, established in 1948, is a family owned and operated development company based in Stockton, Calif. Its primary focus is developing quality commercial and residential projects throughout the Central Valley region. The Stonecreek Village development is managed by M&M Stone, Inc., which specializes in the construction, management and maintenance of commercial, residential and office building developments. For more information on Stonecreek Village and/or Stone Brothers & Associates visit www.stonecreek-village.com or www.stone-bros.com or call 209/478-1791.

Editor’s Note: Interview opportunities available with executives and elected officials. Site plan and artist renderings are available upon request.