Portland REI to close due to record number of break-ins and thefts

On Monday, outdoor fitness retailer REI announced it would close its only remaining store in Portland in February 2024.

The company emailed REI members to explain that the location could no longer guarantee the safety of employees and customers, local outlet NBC reported. Other major chain stores across the US have also closed, citing safety concerns, including a Whole Foods in downtown San Francisco last week and various Starbucks locations last year, including two in Portland .

“The safety of our employees, members and customers is always our number one priority. In recent years, Portland has faced an increase in crime in our neighborhood and beyond. Last year, REI Portland experienced its highest number of break-ins and robberies in two decades, despite actions to tighten security,” REI said in its email.

REI explained that it has now outgrown the Portland Pearl District store. Buyers will now have to travel to the suburbs for their outdoor sporting needs, with locations in Tualatin, Hillsboro and Clackamas.

Last year on Black Friday, the store was the subject of a jaw-dropping robbery in which a car was used to break down the store’s doors. Local outlet NBC reported that the assailant stole clothing before fleeing the scene. In the first ten months of 2022, the number of thefts in the Pearl District amounted to 933, compared to 791 reported in the first ten months of 2019. The number of car thefts during these ten months increased from 35 in 2019 to 119 in 2022. Attacks have increased from 126 to 197.

Although REI will evaluate opportunities for new locations, it does not believe a new location in downtown Portland is likely in the future.

Walmart also abandoned downtown Portland last month, although the company did not cite security concerns as a contributing factor. Instead, he pointed out that the two Portland locations fell short of financial expectations. A week ago, Walmart announced it would close four stores in Chicago, again citing profitability concerns.

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