L.L.Bean sets grand opening of its First Rhode Island Store at Garden City Center in Cranston

Cranston – Internationally recognized outdoor retailerL.L.Bean, best known for its Bean Boot, everyday free shipping and 100% satisfaction guarantee is set to expand its retail operation with the opening of its first Rhode Island store, scheduled to open next week. The new L.L.Bean store located at Garden City Center, a unique open-air shopping destination featuring a blend of shops, eateries and boutiques, in Cranston, RI. The 17,000 square-foot store will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel and footwear, as well as outdoor lifestyle gear including hiking, fly-fishing, kayaking and winter gear and camping products. The store will employ approximately 100 people. This will be L.L.Bean’s first store in Rhode Island and its 29th retail store outside of Maine. The store at Garden City Center will host a weekend of grand opening events from Aug. 12 to 14.
L.L. Bean said the first 200 customers will receive gift cards worth up to $500 when the store opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12. Other giveaways and events are planned for the weekend.

L.L.Bean made the decision to continue to expand its retail presence into Rhode Island as part of its overall retail expansion plan and due to the high level of brand affinity the area residents have for L.L.Bean. In addition, the area is also in proximity to several abundant natural resources and multiple opportunities for many outdoor activities, as well as a population base that enjoys regularly engaging in a variety of outdoor pursuits. The store will allow the people of the greater Providence area and beyond to experience first-hand everything that the legendary outdoor retailer has to offer, such as quality merchandise, a welcoming shopping environment and a large roster of ongoing demonstrations and clinics on a number of outdoor topics.
“In the Cranston area, there’s paddling on the Pawtuxet River and in Narragansett Bay, cycling along the East Bay Bicycle Path, plus numerous green spaces to recreate in. This is going to be a great home for us because of all of the terrific outdoor activities to be had, all within a stone’s throw from the store,” said Ken Kacere, senior vice-president and general manager of retail at L.L.Bean. “Whereas many people know us best through our website and catalogs, our first store in Rhode Island store will give folks the opportunity to experience our unique brand in 3-D.”
Of particular note will be the inclusion of L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools, which will offer demonstrations, clinics and introductory hands-on activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, archery and fly casting, all designed to make it easy for people to engage in outdoor activities for health, fitness and recreation. L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools’ courses are offered at every L.L.Bean Retail Store. In 2014, over 130,000 people participated in these programs.
About Garden City Center
Located on Route 2 in Cranston, Garden City Center has 500,000 square feet of retail and office space. It was one of the first centers of its kind in the country and generations have fond memories of GCC shopping excursions. The center is currently home to 60 shops, services, and eateries including Anthropologie, J. Crew, Sephora, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, The Container Store, Crate & Barrel, Providence Diamond, LA Fitness and Whole Foods Market. www.gardencitycenter.com
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. L.L.Bean products are rigorously tested, guaranteed to last and always shipped free. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. The 220,000 sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ andInstagram.