MEC to open a second store in Alberta capital at South Edmonton Common

Outdoor retailer's 35,000-sq-ft Edmonton South location will be more accessible to more people

VANCOUVER, March 24, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta capital will soon see a second MEC store in the city as Canada's go-to retailer for active outdoor lifestyles plans to open a 35,000-square-foot location at South Edmonton Common this fall.

With approximately 200,000 members in Metro Edmonton today, the outdoor retail co-operative expects to welcome many new members to its fold by being in a location that is readily accessible from the north or south via Highway 2 and from Anthony Henday Drive for people travelling east or west.

"South Edmonton Common is one of western Canada's premiere retail centres, which attracts people from throughout the city and well beyond," said MEC CFO Sandy Treagus. We are thrilled at the prospect of doubling our presence in Edmonton with a store designed to support all manner of outdoor activities."

Members can expect to see a strong offering of technical outdoor gear for camping, climbing, paddlesports and snowsports, an extensive array of men's and women's apparel for cycling, hiking, running, fitness and yoga as well as footwear, outerwear, kids clothing and casual clothing for today's outdoor lifestyles.

A full-service bike and ski-tech shop and an equipment rental program are key services that will be available to members at the Edmonton South location. A community room for use by local outdoor clubs, a 'family' washroom and wheelchair accessible point-of-sale (cash) desks will round out the service offering.

"We take a long-term view of store developments and are confident Edmontonians will embrace a second MEC store," said Treagus. Day-in and day-out MEC enables and inspires people to be active in the outdoors, and the allure, satisfaction and health benefits of our activities will continue to endure."

The store will feature extensive use of wood inside and out, including a distinctive canopy over the front entrance that is supported by timber columns, and materials that evoke the northern Alberta landscape.

MEC's Edmonton South store will open before its downtown store is relocated from 102^nd Avenue to a new building in the Edmonton Brewery District next spring, which has yet to begin construction. The Edmonton South store involves retrofitting an existing space, making for a simpler and shorter development project.

MEC has signed a 15-year lease with Cameron Corporation for its South Edmonton Common store.

About MEC
Canada's leading outdoor retailer, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is passionate about inspiring and enabling everyone to lead active outdoor lifestyles. From city streets and yoga studios to backcountry trails and pristine waterways, MEC matches people with the expertise, experience, enthusiasm and gear they need for camping, snowsports, watersports, cycling, climbing, hiking, running, yoga and fitness. Through our commitment to 1% for the Planet, every year member purchases allow us to donate one percent of sales ($3.4 million in 2015) to Canadian non-profit organizations that help conserve ecologically and recreationally important areas. MEC has over 4 million members across Canada. Become part of MEC with a $5 lifetime membership and visit us at our 18 stores, at www.mec.ca and our Shop MEC iPhone® app.

SOURCE MEC

For more information and to arrange an interview about or obtain a rendering of MEC's new Edmonton South store, please contact: Scott Taber, Media Profile, [email protected], 416-342-1840; Andrew Sutherland, MEC Public Relations, [email protected], 778-320-4291 (mobile), 604-707-3304 (direct); Tim Southam, MEC Public Affairs, [email protected], 604-561-4528 (mobile), 604-707-4480 (direct)