US outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) the, will open its first store in North Jersey — the second in New York state — on August 26, 2011, according to Bethany Hawley, an REI spokeswoman.

The location was selected because the region serves as the “gateway to the outdoors” for people who live in the area and those leaving Manhattan, said Chad Vincent, store manager.

“We’re close to places where people can go out and camp, go kayaking or go skiing,” he added.

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