REI, a household name in outdoor gear, shuttered its Pearl District location in Portland after a troubled 20-year stretch, with doors closing for the last time on Thursday night. As KATU reported, locals like Andrew Keough lamented the loss, "I live in the city, and it's helpful to have it right here,” while others like Whitney Frisch grabbed discounts of up to 40% on their final purchases.
Crime and safety concerns prompted the outdoor retailer to pull out of the downtown spot, after a notable spike in break-ins led to the highest number of thefts in the store's two decades of operation, detailed by KPTV. The Pearl District has witnessed the departure of its last REI, despite Mayor Ted Wheeler and the Portland Police Bureau's concerted efforts to boost security and sway the retailer to remain open the finality of its closure became inevitable.
With a wave of lay-offs impacting 357 positions nationally, the closure aligns with broader corporate restructuring at REI, revealed KOIN. The layoffs spread across various departments, including 200 at their headquarters, 6 in sales and customer service, 30 in their 'Experiences' sector, and 121 in distribution centers.
Portland's outdoor enthusiasts aren't left high and dry, however, as REI is setting up shop in nearby Beaverton come spring 2024 provided they can wait until then, closest options remain stores in Tualatin, Hillsboro, and Clackamas each about a dozen miles from the now-closed urban outpost. REI's new address will be the former site of a Bed Bath and Beyond at 2780 Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard at Walker Center.
