MEC picks Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - Artist Rendering

Conceptual drawing of MEC store at Orchard Plaza

One of Canada's largest outdoor retailers is opening up shop in Kelowna.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is taking over the former Future Shop location at the Orchard Plaza Shopping Centre.

A redesign of the current space is expected to begin in December, with an anticipated opening in the spring of 2016.

Kelowna will become the 19th store located across Canada and the sixth in B.C. for the Canadian-owned co-operative.

CFO Sandy Treagus says members have been asking for years for a store in the Okanagan.

"Kelowna is right in the centre of an area where there are so many outdoor activities, from cycling to mountain biking, climbing, skiing, you name it," said Treagus.

"And, it's a draw for the surrounding areas. We realize it is something of a hub, so it's two-fold. It reaches a bigger draw, but there are so many opportunities for being active in the outdoors in the area."

Treagus said MEC has been looking at Kelowna for some time, and the opportunity was too good to pass up.

"This opportunity presented itself that was fantastic. We're really stoked about the location and the landlord we're working with. We were just looking at the right time."

Adding to the allure of the area is the fact there are 40,000 MEC members in the region from Kamloops south to the U.S. border.

As a true co-operative, everyone who makes a purchase is required to be a member. It's $5 for a lifetime membership.

"You do benefit from receiving a return every year. The benefits of what is essentially a very strong business model and other benefits you wouldn't necessarily find at other retailers," said Treagus.

MEC features a full line of outdoor gear from biking and running to climbing, hiking and camping.

At 20,000 square feet, the Kelowna location is one of the smaller stores the company will operate. It will be comparable in size to one in North Vancouver, which has a staff of about 84 full- and part-time employees.

Despite an abundance of outdoor stores in the market, Treague believes MEC is well positioned to be very successful.

"I think the MEC brand is incredibly strong. We offer a huge assortment but also focus on things like service and expertise, which we believe is a difference-maker. We don't make decisions lightly to go into a new area. We do do our due diligence, and we believe we can be very successful in the market."