Representatives of local nonprofits (Girls Inc., The Nature Conservancy, the Santa Fe Watershed Association, etc.), politicians (the mayor and three councilors) and other outdoor retailers munched on cheese twists and sipped pinot grigio from compostable corn cups Thursday evening while getting a sneak preview of the new REI store in Santa Fe — and doing a little shopping.

Most seemed to think the opening of REI in the Railyard was another good reason not to drive to Albuquerque.

The new 28,000-foot, medium-size store — the 100th for REI — is located in Market Station and will be open to the public for the first time today.

Originally scheduled to open last Christmas — bad weather intervened — and then in August, the store's opening coincides with this weekend's celebration of the rebirth of the Railyard.

For president and chief executive officer Sally Jewell, opening a store in Santa Fe was an easy decision, despite the fact the city is smaller than most other REI locations. "People love to play outside in Santa Fe," she said in an interview Thursday night. "A lot are engaged and interested in outdoor recreation. "

Santa Fe, she added, is a "gateway community" that attracts tourists interested in the outdoors who will might shop at REI along with locals. "Santa Fe has been on the list for sometime," she said. And when the Railyard development came along, "it looked like a good fit for us."

Jewell said REI ran a count Wednesday and determined the outdoor retailer, founded in 1938, already has 11,000 members in the Santa Fe area — and 80,000 in New Mexico.

"That's a great indicator," she said. Such a concentration of REI enthusiasts "not only deserve a store, but will support a store."

When the idea of REI moving onto the Railyard was first broached, the prospect generated what Jewell conceded was a "fair amount of controversy" from those who feared a "big box" type of store downtown and those who warned that local retailers would be put out of business.

REI welcomed that reaction, she said. "That's good because we want to be in a community that cares about having a vibrant life."

And in Santa Fe, she said, "I think we've been a catalyst for bringing in other businesses."

REI, she assured guests Thursday, is really committed to the local community and employs an outreach specialist at every location. Three percent of the co-op's operating profits go into a pool that is distributed to local nonprofits promoting outdoor life.

"There's isn't anything REI sells that I don't like," said Jewell, an avid outdoorswoman. She's a bike commuter, began climbing mountains in high school with the Seattle Mountaineers, skis, practices yoga and every New Year's Day paddles a kayak 10 miles around Squaxin Island near her cabin off the Washington coast.

Recreational Equipment Inc. was founded in 1938 and has 2.8 million members. New stores are opening soon in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C., and Round Rock, Texas.

Members pay a one-time $20 fee and receive a share of the company's annual profits through an annual refund based on the amount of their purchases.

The store will offer bike maintenance clinics and other how-to workshops as well as volunteer activities. Community space is available at the store for nonprofit partners and employees to use for classes and other events.

Jay Sturdevant, one of the few non-Santa Feans among the new employees — he transferred here from Bellingham, Wash. — said REI is a good employer. "They don't just promote that (outdoor) lifestyle. They let you live it." And he thinks Santa Fe customers will be pleased, too. "There's going to be pandemonium (today)," he predicted.

Contact Anne Constable at 986-3022 or aconstable@sfnewmexican.com.

REI GRAND OPENING

REI hours: Doors open 10 a.m. today; 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday; regular hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

Upcoming events and giveaways

• The first 200 people (ages 12 and older) who visit the store each day of the opening weekend will receive a special edition water bottle with an REI gift card ranging in value from $5 to $100.

• A free continental breakfast will be served each morning before the store opens — at 9 a.m. today, 8 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

• Micah Dash, a big-wall climber from Boulder, Colo., will discuss some of his epic ascents in the U.S. and Canada at 7 p.m. today.

• Nick Heil, former senior editor of Outside Magazine and author of Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season, will present a slide show and book signing at 3 p.m. Saturday.

• Roualeyn de Haas will share stories of African safaris at 6 p.m. Sept. 25.

• REI members and customers may enter a contest for a chance to win various prizes, including packages of camping and cycling gear and outerwear.

Free clinics (REI Community Room)

• Bike maintenance 101: 6 p.m. Wednesday

• Backpacking 101: 6 p.m. Sept. 24

• GPS introduction: 3 p.m. Sept. 27

• Women's specific bike clinic: 6 p.m. Oct. 15

• Trail running: 6 p.m. Oct. 22

Fly fishing classes (REI Community Room)

• An overview of fly fishing destinations in New Mexico by Reel Life: 6 p.m. Sept. 22

• Beginning fly fishing by Reel Life: 6 p.m. Oct. 6

For more information: Visit the Web site at www.rei.com/stores/santafe or call 982-3557.