REI might work in a well populated area. This town has 11k inhabitants. The neighboring town which sports Walmart and Costco (the one the author laments drivi

REI might work in a well populated area. This town has 11k inhabitants. The neighboring town which sports Walmart and Costco (the one the author laments driving to) has a population of 8k. I don't think there is enough population to support a profitable REI in an age where you can order everything it sells for cheaper elsewhere.