-March 20,2019
The City of San Luis Obispo has approved nearly $2 million in building permits to remodel the proposed REI sporting goods store next to the new Sprouts on Madonna Rd. The new RIE would be 22,200 square feet.
Irvine-based Bogard Construction, who does a number of RIE tenant improvements, took out the permit March 6.
Asked about their new store, a REI spokesperson said they have not announced a location in San Luis Obispo. The closest location now is in Santa Barbara. The Washington state co-op specializes in camping and outdoor recreation equipment.
But the building permits are piling up with their name on it – this being the second one for REI in this spot in the last month.
“We are working on a third permit for additional improvements” says Doug Davidson, the city’s Deputy Community Development Director. He says the city has not been advised when the new store could open. But look for it to happen before the holidays.
Next door – the grocer Sprouts is set to open April 3.
Both Sprouts and REI would help fill the former Gottschalks /Forever 21 space that has been vacant for years.
Two more spaces next to RIE are still available according to the real estate brokerage firm The Shopping Center Group.