Mold Remediation in College Station, TX

Local outdoor enthusiasts can celebrate now with the opening of the REI Co-op store in College Station.

Located at 615 University Drive East, the outdoor sporting goods retailer is holding its grand opening festivities this weekend. The party started Thursday night with a preview party and picked up Friday morning with a “webbing-cutting” ceremony. The green carpet was rolled out and a strap of red webbing was sliced with a knife by store manager Alexandra Gaisbauer to officially open the 22,000 square-foot store to the public. The ceremony will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday.

“It is the 11th REI location opening here in Texas, so we’re really excited,” Gaisbauer said Thursday night. “We’ve got a pretty good membership base here in College Station; about 7,000 members. Someone said walking in that it’s long overdue. Our members are really excited to have us here.”

A very enthusiastic Jackson Potter of Livingston arrived at the store at 10 p.m. Thursday to become the first person in line for the Friday opening.

“I’m from Livingston which is about two hours or more from the nearest REI, and actually I have never shopped at REI, so, I’m like well, this is my chance, and I want to be first to see what kind of free stuff they’re giving out,” he said. “We were looking in and there’s signs for free gifts for somebody, so hopefully grab some of those and see what we can get. I have a shopping list of stuff I want to get and see if they have it.”

Potter said it was a long night.

“I came out by myself and I had some friends pull up at 12 to 2 a.m. and we kind of hung out, played some games and they went home and I stayed the night. The next people here were here at 6 a.m., so I was here from 2 to 6 by myself,” he said.

About an hour before the 10 a.m. opening a long line began to form behind him.

“I have an REI back home and I just wanted to come and see it open,” said Ashley Pearson of Sugar Land, who is a student at Texas A&M University.

“This is actually my first time at REI. I’m really excited,” said A&M student Ella Ray of Sulpher Springs. “My friend Ashley talked it up a lot and I have a couple of camping and backpacking trips coming up and I’m hoping to get some items for those trips.”

Gaisbauer explained that REI isn’t a typical retail outlet.

“We’re a co-op, we’re a different kind of company,” she said. “When you work for a company whose values align with yours it really makes it a great place to work. I’ve been here over eight years and members get the best of everything. You get the best benefits, lifetime membership, you become a member once and it’s forever. It’s not just the benefits, it’s about being part of something greater.”

Gaisbauer said a $30 lifetime membership provides a variety of perks, discounts and 10% back for members. She said customers don’t have to be members to shop there.

“We do a lot of good as a company. We actually give away about 70% of our profits,” Gaisbauer said. “For us, we’ve got some great sustainability goals. We’re known for keeping our product out of the landfill.”

Gaisbauer explained that each REI store partners with local nonprofits with some kind of outdoor/environmental connection. For the preview party and grand opening weekend, the store is partnering with Rio Brazos Audubon Society.

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts

“We’re a conservation organization, or more specifically a bird conservation organization,” said Mark McDermott, president of Rio Brazos Audubon Society. “We run activities and conservation programs that are designed with conserving bird life and the habitat that they need to thrive.”

He said they are using the funds they raise from the weekend to build a handicap-accessible bird blind.

“It’s very nice for REI to invite us,” he said. “Basically we’re selling mugs and people can use the mugs to go get a beer and all the profits from that are going into our organization.”

Throughout the weekend people can purchase a coffee mug from the group for coffee from Tavo Coffee Co.

“I love REI, I love what they do, and I’ve been wanting an REI here for years and I’m really, really pleased that we’ve got one,” McDermott said.

Gaisbauer said there will be special events and giveaways each morning and afternoon. From 1-5 p.m. there will be an outdoor social with outdoor brand vendors, giveaways, music, and stations from community partners.

“We’re all about making sure that whatever it is that people want to do outside to really meet them where they are,” she said.

Jason and Jennifer Jennings from College Station were among the guests enjoying the live music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the party.

“It’s great. It has a lot of different things, it’s nice, big and clean,” Jennifer Jennings said of the new store.

“I’ve bought their snowboarding type gear in the past,” Jason Jennings said. “That’s the reason I’m a member.”

“I’m always interested in the cold weather gear and workout gear and things like that,” added Jennifer. “We were also surprised to see that they have a lot of great tennis shoes.”

College Station Mayor John Nichols was one of the party guests.

“I’ve heard lots of great stories about REI at other locations. I think there is a great pent-up demand for their brand and the kind of products and services they offer,” he said. “So I’m kind of excited to see it. It’s kind of a new look and feel for College Station. We’re happy to have them here.”

0 Comments

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Costumes, live music, and craft brews set the tone for REI’s Halloween preview party Thursday night, giving select guests a first look at the new REI store, set to open on Friday in the University Park Plaza.

The private event drew in local outdoor enthusiasts, REI staff, and community partners for an evening of festivities and community building.

Attendees were encouraged to dress up for Halloween, with costumes showcased in a spirited “fashion show” which awarded prizes for standout looks. Guests mingled over local craft beer from Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. and non-alcoholic options from Athletic Brewing, while sampling bites from Buppy’s Catering.

Guests had the option to donate $10 to the Audubon Society to receive a limited-edition stainless-steel pint, with proceeds supporting the conservation group.

Entertainment for the night included live music by the Karl Rehn Band, adding jazz, blues, and rock to the lively scene. As guests explored the store’s offerings, from camping and biking gear to winter sports essentials, the energy remained high in anticipation of Friday’s grand opening.

Store managers told KBTX they were excited to bring the REI outdoor experience to College Station.

”At REI, we really like to go big with our store openings. So, we are actually opening our 11th store here in Texas, which is really exciting and we’re really excited to be a part of the college station community. Tonight is community night, so it’s a chance for us to really make some meaningful connections with our community partners,” said Alexandra Gaisbauer, store manager of REI College Station.

The new College Station location will be a full-service hub for outdoor gear and expertise, including a bike shop offering year-round maintenance and repair services. REI’s doors open to the public Friday at 10 a.m., with a weekend of special activities planned to celebrate the arrival of the outdoor retail giant in the community.

The nearly 22,000 square-foot store is located at 615 University Drive East near the corner of Tarrow Street.

????Halloween fun at REI’s preview party! Costumes, live music, and a first look inside College Station’s newest outdoor store. ???????? Doors open Friday at 10 a.m. for the grand opening!

Posted by Donnie Tuggle KBTX on Thursday, October 31, 2024

Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M volleyball team returns to Reed Arena Friday evening to host Alabama with first serve set for 6:30 p.m.

The Aggies claimed their second ranked win of the season last time out, as they downed then-No. 7 Texas at Gregory Gym. A&M outlasted the Longhorns in a five-set thriller, winning the match in extras after defending three match points (18-16). The victory marked the Maroon & White's first versus Texas since 2010 and first in Austin since 2001.

Alabama enters the match following a two-match slide and currently sits 15th in the league. Since the start of conference play, the Crimson Tide hangs their hat on defense as they sit seventh in the league in digs per set (13.16). Friday's match will be the 21st meeting between the programs and 12th in Reed Arena.

Last season the team's split a pair of matches, as A&M claimed a sweep at home, while Alabama also won on home soil, 3-1, to close the 2023 regular season. The Maroon & White hold a strong lead in the all-time series, 14-6, and excel at home with a 9-2 record.

A&M is tied for fifth in the conference through the opening eight matches with a 5-3 record. As a group the team ranks second opponent hitting percentage (.187), seventh in blocks per set (2.35) and eighth in digs per set averaging 13.12 a frame.

STREAMING & STATS Fans can watch the match versus Alabama on SEC Network+ and follow stats on 12thman.com.

TICKETS Tickets for the match are available on 12thmanfoundation.com.

PROMOTIONS Turn it Gold Match: www.12thMan.com/TurnitGold

Junior Aggie Club: AC members can claim a FREE ticket in advance to the match. A&M Faculty & Staff Appreciation: (2) FREE tickets for faculty & staff in advance on gameday. Additional tickets $3 each. $5 Beer Night: Fans that are 21 and older can purchase a special beer offering for $5 at concessions.

12TH MAN REWARDS 12th Man Rewards is the free program that appreciates fans for standing with the 12th Man and attending Texas A&M Athletics events in support of creating a homefield advantage for our student-athletes and coaches.

The more events you attend, your points will increase. Those points can be redeemed via the online Giveaway Store for a variety of items.

FOLLOW THE AGGIES Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.

Voting on Election Day got off to a slow start at some polling places in College Station. No lines had formed by 8 a.m. at Christ Church or at A&M Church of Christ. Voters trickled in and out of both places, often with several minutes passing between them.

“It was great, it was super easy here, in and out. Everyone was really friendly and helpful,” said a voter named Jake from College Station, who voted at A&M Church. “There was not a single line. I was first in line.”

“Very smooth, it was super easy. There was no line at all, walked right in, voted, and walked out,” said Rachel Wright of College Station, who voted at Christ Church.

Elsewhere in College Station the wait time in line at the College Station Utilities Training Center was about 30 minutes at 9:15 a.m. but it was going smoothly.

"The line was long but it went pretty quickly," Hannah Trout of College Station said. "The (voting machines) all worked well and they were very easy to use and there were people to guide you through the steps."

Down at Millican United Methodist Church there was just a few people voting at 8:30 this morning and no line at all.

"It went very smoothly," Alicia Day said. "I was a little skeptical with it being at the church but there were no issues."

The Brazos Center, located 3232 Briarcrest Drive, had many voters in line as soon as they opened at 7 a.m. with a mix of experienced voters and first-time voters. Similarly, the First Baptist Church in Bryan saw a large influx of voters for the first hour of being open.

At around 9:30 a.m., the College Heights Assembly of God Church, located at 4100 Old College Road in Bryan, saw only six cars in the parking lot with no noticeable line. Other locations with no line to vote after 8 a.m. included Legends Event Center and Castle Heights Baptist Church.

Part of the reason for shorter lines is that Brazos County had record turnout for the early voting period. Between Oct. 21 and Nov. 1, 71,761 people voted, accounting for 53.8% of the 133,384 registered voters.

In the 2020 presidential election, 52.5% (64,140) of the 122,137 registered voters cast their ballots early. In the 2016 presidential election, 46,926 people voted early in Brazos County, which was 44% of the 106,804 registered voters.

0 Comments

Mississippi State’s new one-setter rotation continues to be a smashing success.

The Bulldogs grabbed their biggest victory of the season Sunday, defeating Texas A&M 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 at Reed Arena in College Station to extend their winning streak to three. With grad transfer Ceci Harness running the offense, MSU hit .361 for the match, its best hitting percentage in any match all year.

“There is so much fight in this team,” Bulldogs head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. “We’re becoming the aggressors and we’re willing to go head-to-head with anyone, no matter who is on the other side of the net.”

MSU (10-8, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) trailed by four points at the first-set TV timeout but gradually reeled the Aggies (15-5, 6-4) back in. Freshman libero McKenna Yates set up Kailin Newsome for the set-tying kill, and Rebecca Walk gave the Bulldogs the lead on the next point. MSU closed it out with four straight points, clinching the set when Harness fed Newsome for a kill.

Texas A&M again took the early lead in the second set before the Bulldogs clawed their way back with an 8-0 run to go ahead 23-17. Back-to-back errors from the Aggies gave MSU a two sets to none lead in the match.

The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the third set in which they never trailed aside from after the first point. Karli Schmidt had six kills in the set, and a kill from Walk completed the sweep.

Our headlines, delivered to your inbox

Select the newsletters you want to receive

Email Address

“We came into Reed Arena focused and walked out with a win,” Darty Dennis said. “Overall, it was about executing a game plan, keeping it simple and fighting harder than our opponents. At the end of the day, I can say that is what we did.”

Schmidt led MSU with 13 kills while Newsome added 10, and Newsome, Walk and Arissa Smith all posted hitting percentages above .400. Smith also had nine blocks, setting a new career high in that department. Harness had 33 assists, her third straight match with at least 30.

The Bulldogs are back home Wednesday evening to battle two-time defending national champion and No. 9 Texas.

“Ceci had a great day. She did everything we asked and more,” Darty Dennis said. “She put Karli and Kailin in the spots she needed to.”