SANTA ANA, CA-Seattle-based outdoor gear and clothing retailer REI is adding a store in Santa Barbara at the same time it is expanding and relocating its Santa Ana store to Tustin. REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a retail co-op providing outdoor gear and clothing, plans to relocate the Santa Ana store from the McFadden Place shopping center in Santa Ana to the Market Place in Tustin and to increase the store's size to 33,500 square feet from its current 25,000 square feet.

According to Greg Mellinger, REI retail director for Southern California, the expansion and relocation of the Santa Ana store, as well as the new Santa Barbara location, are part of the Seattle-based chain's plans for expanding its presence in Southern California. The new REI in Santa Barbara will be located off of US Highway 101 between Anacapa and State streets and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011. The more than 24,500-square-foot location will offer products for outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling, snow sports and travel. The store will also provide a bike shop for assemblies and repairs, gear rental department and community space where nonprofits and outdoor organizations can hold classes and events.

The relocation of REI’s current store at McFadden Place in Santa Ana to the Market Place in Tustin is scheduled in time for an opening of the Tustin store this fall. The larger location will allow REI to increase its current product assortment by approximately 30%. Owned by Irvine Company, the Market Place is located off the Santa Ana Freeway and Jamboree Road.

The new stores in Tustin and Santa Barbara will join existing REI Southern California locations in Arcadia, Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Northridge, Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Monica. REI currently has 112 stores nationwide and 26 stores in California.