REI Closes Longtime Manhattan Flagship Store

REI concluded operations at its Manhattan flagship store on July 23, 2026, marking the end of a 15-year presence in the historic Puck Building at Lafayette and Houston streets. The final day of business saw a depleted inventory as shoppers browsed the remaining stock in a largely cleared-out 35,000-square-foot space.

The retailer first announced the impending closure last October. In public statements, the company has attributed the decision to broader business strategies, citing a need to adapt to evolving market conditions and shifting customer requirements.

However, the closure has drawn criticism from some staff members. Several employees, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested the move was a form of retaliation against recent efforts to unionize the workforce. These workers pointed to the fact that the SoHo location was among the company's unionized stores and noted that a similarly unionized REI location in Boston was also slated for closure.

An REI spokesperson has explicitly denied these allegations, maintaining that the decision was strictly based on business considerations. The company has not offered automatic transfers to other locations for the affected staff, stating that employees must re-apply for open positions elsewhere within the organization.

For many local residents and outdoor enthusiasts, the departure represents the end of a significant era for the neighborhood, which previously hosted Eastern Mountain Sports in the same space. With the Manhattan flagship now shuttered, the closest REI locations for city residents are situated in Carle Place, Long Island, and East Hanover, New Jersey.