L.L.Bean Brings Full Selection to West Lebanon.

FREEPORT, Maine -- L.L.Bean Factory Store to Reopen as L.L.Bean's Newest First-Quality Retail Store

Families who love the outdoors will want to head to the PowerHouse Mall on Friday, July 15, as L.L.Bean celebrates the Grand Opening of its newest Retail Store in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. The doors will open at 9:30AM, with fun and adventure planned all weekend long. One of the most exciting elements of the new store will be the introduction of L.L.Bean's Outdoor Discovery Schools to the area.

During the weekend event and every weekend throughout the summer, expert instructors from the schools will guide participants through introductory kayaking and fly-casting classes as part of their exclusive Walk-On Adventure program. Other grand opening activities will include boating, camping and fishing clinics and product testing--everything from trying on raingear to on-the-water boat demonstrations. The Weather Channel will also be present at the event. Visitors to the store can play meteorologist by announcing a weather report in front of their traveling green screen and will take home a DVD of the experience.

As part of the celebration and as a gift to the community, L.L.Bean will donate $25,000 to the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. The donation will be used to establish a network of trailhead kiosks designed to educate the public about wise and sustainable trail use. Additionally, the Alliance will dedicate a portion of the gift to a special fund, which will be used for grants to local grassroots trail organizations.

"L.L.Bean is well-known for its support of conservation efforts," says Wally Elton, Executive Director Upper Valley Trails Alliance. "With this gift L.L. Bean has demonstrated its deep commitment to the people and natural resources in our community."

The store will open in the same building as the former L.L.Bean Factory Store. The new store will house a wide selection of first-quality L.L.Bean outdoor gear and clothing. "We're excited about our expanded presence in the Upper Valley," says Ed Howell, Chief Retail Officer L.L.Bean. "Our customers in this area have asked for more recreation focus in our store. And we've responded by bringing a broader offering of recreational products, more hands on opportunities with our Outdoor Discovery Schools, and a strong connection to a local conservation and recreation organization that serves this community."

The 15,000 square foot store is the fourth Retail Store outside of Maine the company has opened as part of an initiative to expand and strengthen its brick and mortar retail business. Other L.L.Bean Retail Stores are located in Tysons Corner Center, Virginia; Columbia, Maryland; Marlton, New Jersey and Freeport, Maine, the site of the company's original Flagship Retail Store.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading retailer 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. While its business has grown substantially, L.L.Bean still upholds the values of its founder and continues his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. You can visit L.L.Bean anytime at www.llbean.com.

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance, a coalition of community trail and conservation groups, landowners, and trail users, supports and promotes the creation, care, and responsible use of trails throughout the Upper Connecticut River Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont. Through a program called Upper Valley Trails for Life, the Alliance also seeks to enhance and sustain the health of residents and communities by promoting active living via trails.