New Yorkers gathered last week to mark the closure of a long-standing outdoor retail store in the SoHo neighborhood, where a beloved REI location had operated for 15 years. The store, situated in the historic Puck Building at the intersection of Lafayette and Mulberry Streets, closed its doors permanently last Thursday evening, prompting an outpouring of sentiment from local patrons and outdoor enthusiasts.

The REI store, which opened in 2011, occupied three stories of the Romanesque-Revival style building constructed in the 1880s. Over the years, it became more than a retail outlet, serving as a familiar landmark amidst SoHo’s rapidly changing landscape. Its presence was often cited as a convenience for commuters arriving from the nearby subway station, offering amenities such as clean restrooms and a respite from the elements. For many, the store represented a rare urban gateway to outdoor gear and activities in the heart of New York City.

The closure announcement, made by REI in October, was part of a broader downsizing that included shuttering another sole city store in Boston and a location in Paramus, New Jersey. The company attributed the decision to evolving market conditions and shifting customer needs but declined to provide further details. REI has faced financial challenges in recent years despite a pandemic-era surge in outdoor gear sales. Under new leadership, the company has emphasized cost-cutting measures and halted expansion, reporting profitability in recent quarters.

SoHo’s commercial real estate market, characterized by rising rents and frequent tenant turnover, likely contributed to the store’s closure. Retail rents in the area averaged $351 per square foot in 2025, an increase of 9% over the previous year, according to a real estate report. The building’s owner, Kushner Companies, did not comment on the closure.

In the days leading up to the closing, an event originally planned as a memorial gathering outside the store evolved into a continuous shrine, where visitors left farewell messages and recalled personal memories. The initiative drew hundreds of participants, who shared stories ranging from casual interactions to meaningful experiences connected to the store.

The Puck Building itself has a storied past, having housed the satirical magazine Puck from 1887 to 1918, and later serving diverse roles including an artist’s cooperative and residential spaces developed by Jared Kushner in the 2010s. The building’s façade, adorned with two gilded statues of Shakespeare’s Puck character, remains a distinctive feature of the neighborhood.

The store’s employees made headlines in 2022 by becoming the first within the company’s network to successfully unionize. However, ongoing contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement, and all 72 staff positions are being eliminated. Company representatives denied that the closures were connected to the unionization effort.

As the store closed its doors for the final time, staff and customers gathered in a somber farewell. Employees described feelings of disappointment mixed with gratitude for their time at the location, citing the store’s role in promoting outdoor activity within an urban environment. In the final moments before closing, the remaining staff counted down and embraced, bringing an emotional close to REI’s chapter in SoHo.

Outside, the makeshift shrine gradually overflowed with notes, drawings, and mementos left by those mourning the loss of the store, underscoring its unique place in the community and the local retail landscape.