Mountain Equipment Company officially opens doors to Nanaimo store
Published 1:08 pm Saturday, December 13, 2025
Mountain Equipment Company is officially open for business in Nanaimo.
Doors opened to the Bowen Road store on Saturday, Dec. 13, offering clothing and gear for outdoor recreationalists, servicing for cyclists and skiers and an area for customers to try out climbing shoes.
Atmosphere, a similar business, shuttered earlier this year, but Peter Hlynsky, MEC chief executive officer, told the News Bulletin it wasn’t indicative of the market in Nanaimo.
“The store was a no-brainer for us,” he said. “We had members that have been asking us for a store here for a very long time. Nanaimo is the gateway to the outdoors on the Island, right? From here, you can get onto paddle sports, you can get hiking, climbing, you can go biking. Some of the best world-class biking is here. It’s just a great place to be for outdoors.”
In addition, the Bowen Road site was the right place to set up shop.
“I think we wanted a space that was a little bit unique and provided us access to a lot of area around for good parking, and also back area … so this area actually serviced all of our needs, and it was nice to be in the corridor between the two main highways on the Island,” Hlynsky said.
Both Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson attended the grand opening and were pleased with the business MEC will bring.
“People from all over the Island, historically have trekked to Victoria to go to Mountain Equipment Co-op,” said Krog. “They will come to Nanaimo now for Mountain Equipment Company. It’s a wonderful boost to our local economy, creates employment, will attract people and reduce the carbon footprint of all those folks driving to Victoria.”
Anderson lauded the employment it will bring.
“This is a great opportunity for our community, for young people to be able to get their first jobs and to see over 60 people employed here is a great addition to our local economy and [gross domestic product],” he said.
Executives estimated between 350 to 400 people were waiting for doors to open and one of the first customers was Conrad de Bruin, who braved the elements overnight and was at the front of the line. He said he was there for the experience.
“I just like their gear,” de Bruin said. “[It’s] very dependable stuff, and you know it’s going to be good quality when you get it from here … I’m just stoked to go in there and have a look.”
The 24,000-square foot retail space is MEC’s second on Vancouver Island, with Victoria the first, and according to a press release, Nanaimo is the company’s 23rd standalone store.
