L.L. Bean plans to expand to Rhode Island with a 17,000-square-foot store in Garden City Center.

The store, which will replace the now-closed OfficeMax at the southern end of the shopping center, is slated to open this summer.

According to an announcement from The Wilder Companies, which manages Garden City, the location will employ approximately 100 people and “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.”

It will be L.L. Bean’s first store in the Ocean State, and the company’s 29th retail location outside Maine.

“Garden City Center is the perfect location for a store that focuses on the outdoor life,” said Maria Salvatore, leasing consultant for The Wilder Companies. “And while many people know L.L. Bean’s website and catalog, the retail store will provide shoppers with hands-on experiences all ages will be sure to enjoy.”

According to the announcement, “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.” The announcement also cites “abundant natural resources and multiple opportunities for many outdoor activities” in Rhode Island.

“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 web site and catalogs, our first store in Rhode Island store will give folks the opportunity to experience our unique brand in 3-D.”

The new store will also include one of L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools, which the announcement states “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.”