Lloyd and Mary Anderson joined with 21 other Northwest climbers in 1938 to found Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). REI was originally structured as a consumer cooperative to purchase quality climbing equipment, difficult to find locally, from Europe. Word quickly spread, and soon many had joined the co-op. Over time, the enterprise grew, as did the range of outdoor gear available to the co-op members.

REI has grown over the past six decades into a renowned supplier of specialty outdoor gear and clothing. Serving the needs of outdoors people via its 70 retail stores in the U.S., their website is highly regarded. REI today is the United States’ largest consumer cooperative with more than 2 million members.