{"id":304705,"date":"2026-07-24T13:30:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T13:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/304705\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T13:30:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T13:30:25","slug":"ev-grieve-at-the-last-day-of-reis-flagship-nyc-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/304705\/","title":{"rendered":"EV Grieve: At the last day of REI’s flagship NYC store"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yesterday’s final day at REI’s NYC flagship brought plenty of discounted camping gear \u2014 and plenty of emotions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By day’s end, the outdoor retailer had closed its only NYC location after 15 years in the Puck Building at Lafayette and Houston.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pending closure was announced last October. REI has said<\/a> the decision was part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing business conditions while focusing on long-term growth.They noted that the SoHo location is one of REI’s unionized stores<\/a> and said the company’s Boston store \u2014 another unionized location \u2014 is also slated to close.\u00a0<\/p>\n

REI has publicly cited business reasons for the closures and has not said they are related to union activity.<\/p>\n

“Any claim that this store is closing because of unionization is simply not true,” a spokesperson told WWD<\/a>. “As we shared with our employees and members last fall, the decision was based on broader business considerations and our need to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs.”<\/p>\n

Employees also told us they have not been offered transfers to other REI stores and instead must re-apply for any open positions elsewhere within the company.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Inside, there were some bittersweet moments as longtime customers stopped to thank staffers for their years of service. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

More than one conversation ended with hugs \u2014 and a few tears.\u00a0With the NYC store now closed, the nearest REI locations for city residents are in Carle Place on Long Island and East Hanover, N.J.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For many outdoor enthusiasts \u2014 and local residents who remember when the space housed Eastern Mountain Sports \u2014 it’s the end of an era.<\/p>\n

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