MEC moves Vancouver Flagship to Olympic Village

Outdoor apparel and equipment retailer MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is gearing up to relocate its Vancouver flagship to a new and expanded space.

The three-storey building will be 60,000-square-feet, but what’s most interesting is MEC’s new location. Set to open in Olympic Village, the location promises to grow MEC Vancouver's reputation as a hub for outdoor activity.

"Today marks a milestone in the 46-year history of our co-op in Vancouver. In two years, MEC's stunning new flagship store will serve our 450,000 local members from an area that is teeming with outdoor spirit, as well as target environmental and conservation standards that align with our brand," said MEC’s CFO Sandy Treagus at a news conference on Monday, where construction on the new flagship began.

“MEC's flagship store will enhance Vancouver's urban active community by connecting residents to the outdoors, and I'm looking forward its opening," added Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

When construction of the new store is complete in mid-2019, it will include two levels of retail, a third floor with office and amenity space, three levels of underground parking and more than 50 bike parking stalls.

The store design will be similar to the retailer’s Kelowna location, featuring the extensive use of wood and will follow a "store within a store" approach for categories like cycling. The store design will aim to inspire people to be active outdoors and provide an immersive shopping experience.

MEC's Olympic Village location will replace its store at 130 West Broadway, which has been open since 1995. According to the company, the building is “coming to the end of its useful life” and the property lease will have expired.

MEC has 22 stores across Canada, including four other stores in British Columbia. Established in 1971, MEC is Canada's largest consumer co-operative with more than 4.5 million members across the country.

MEC moves Vancouver Flagship to Olympic Village

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