REI Closes Last NYC Store in SoHo

Bassyonni

ago 4 hours

REI has announced the planned closure of its only New York City location, situated in SoHo. This flagship store, occupying 35,000 square feet in the historic Puck Building, will remain open until late 2026. The retailer is also shuttering two other locations in Paramus, New Jersey, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Details on the SoHo Store Closure

The SoHo store has been a significant site for REI since it opened its doors in 2011. The location was part of a major restoration project undertaken by architecture firm Callison, which incorporated elements of the original building. Recently, the space attracted attention as OpenAI secured a lease for 90,000 square feet within the same building.

Community Reactions

The announcement of the closure has sparked disappointment among shoppers. Maria Null, a Queens resident, expressed her feelings after testing various rain jackets at the store. “I like to come into the store and try things on. Everything’s always an investment,” she stated.

Another shopper, Ogden Pheim from the Lower East Side, noted that the size of the store likely contributed to the decision. “It’s kind of a big space. It’s probably really expensive,” he commented.

REI’s Business Performance

In terms of financial health, REI reported net sales of $3.53 billion for 2024, a decrease from $3.85 billion in 2022. Earlier this year, the company announced significant layoffs, affecting over 400 employees, and decided to end its adventure tourism packages.

Impact on Employees and Union Relations

The closure of the SoHo store and others comes at a time when 11 REI locations, including the Boston and SoHo stores, have recently unionized. The REI Union has requested more information regarding the closure decision. They aim to secure severance and transfer rights for the workers impacted by these changes.

Return Policy for Customers

REI has a notable return policy, allowing co-op members a year for returns on most products. Non-members have a 90-day window for returns. Customers can return items either at any retail location or through the mail.

Remaining Store Locations

Despite the upcoming closure, REI still operates three stores in New Jersey and several throughout New York state, including a location in Carle Place, Nassau County.