Berkeley's well-regarded REI Co-op store unexpectedly closed its doors, citing a building safety concern, particularly with the roof structure, which they are currently looking into. According to a statement obtained by the Berkeley Scanner, a structural engineer is scheduled to evaluate the building to ensure customer and employee safety before consideration of reopening can truly begin. Customers aiming to make last-minute purchases or retrieve online orders before Christmas were met with locked doors and uncertainty as the store at 1338 San Pablo Ave. remains shut "until further notice."
The abrupt store closure created a significant hiccup for holiday shoppers who sought to visit one of the bastions of outdoor gear and attire on the cusp of Christmas. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that REI decided to swiftly close the store following a reported roof issue, stressing that this decision was made out of an abundance of caution. Aside from the inconvenienced holiday shoppers, this closure has left employees uncertain, pacing to figure out the next move during what should have been peak retail hours. The surrounding businesses in the shopping plaza are maintaining operations as usual, a contrast to the shuttered REI storefront.
There was no information to be gleaned from the facade of the store apart from a posted note, which reassured customers that the safety of employees, members, and customers was taken seriously. Some customers were briefly allowed to collect their online orders at a back entrance on Camelia Street, offering a limited respite to those stuck waiting.
As the situation unfolded, the implications for holiday shopping plans became evident. With just a brief period for people to hurriedly pick up their orders before Christmas, the community's reliance on REI as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and last-minute shoppers alike was underscored in a very tangible way. According to a statement from REI to the Chronicle, the company emphasized its top priority was safety and that they would notify employees and customers as soon as the store is safe to reopen.
Information on the duration of the closure remains scant, with city officials noting that the building had not been red-tagged and the city's Building and Safety Division had not been contacted for assistance at the location. This leaves customers like Deborah Brayton, who the Berkeley Scanner quoted as being a last-minute shopper, in a state of limbo. "I assume that REI does not want to be closed," she said via the Berkeley Scanner.
