Seattle-based REI is coming to Fort Worth, a source confirms exclusively to GlobeSt.com.The outdoor emporium will open a store at Waterside, the “Conscious Place” Trademark Property Co.-developed project off Arborlawn Drive and Bryant Irvin Road in southwest Fort Worth. The development is scheduled to open late 2016. Located on the Trinity River, the location is a, well, natural fit for the retailer. It will join already-announced anchor tenant Whole Foods Market (also a Fort Worth first), as well as Zoe’s Kitchen, Taco Diner and Blaze Pizza. REI opened its first Tarrant County store late last year in Southlake’s Park Village. The 22,050-square-foot store was its third in North Texas, with other locations in Dallas and Plano. Officials with REI were not able to return calls regarding more details about the Fort Worth store. Comparable venues employ as many as 50 people; the retailer opened its first area location in 1993.
