REI’s flagship store in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City will officially close its doors on July 23, earlier than initial expectations, according to Crain’s New York. A new state Department of Labor filing revealed the closure will eliminate 72 jobs.
Last October, REI confirmed plans to close its Paramus, NJ, store in the first quarter of 2026, as well as its SoHo and Boston stores in late 2026.
The closures come as REI recently reported its third straight year of losses, although the loss was lower than the two prior years due to cost-cutting efforts, including last year’s shutdown of its entire “Experiences” division, which offered guided tours and outdoor-themed classes.
REI said last October in announcing the store closings, “As markets and customer needs evolve, we must adapt to position the co-op for long-term success.”
The Soho location, located within the Puck Building at Lafayette Street and Houston, opened in 2011 and is the only REI store within the city limits. The store was the first REI location to unionize in March 2022. Ten other stores of its 195 locations have since been unionized.
Image courtesy REI
