After more than three decades on Lawrence Street, Eugene’s REI is packing up the climbing ropes, hiking boots, and paddleboards and heading across town.
The outdoor co-op has called downtown home since 1992, tucked into the old Eugene Planing Mill building that gave the store its character and timber-beam charm. For a lot of locals, it wasn’t just a place to grab trail mix before a backpacking trip. It was part of the rhythm of downtown. Wander in for socks, walk out with a tent you absolutely didn’t plan on buying.
Now, that chapter is closing.
REI says it has simply outgrown the space. The new home will be at Oakway Center, inside the former Bed Bath and Beyond building, with an extra 10,000 square feet to stretch out. That means more footwear options, a bigger cycling department, expanded camping gear, and likely fewer moments of squeezing past someone debating between two nearly identical fleece jackets.
For some longtime shoppers, the move feels bittersweet. The store has been a fixture of downtown Eugene for 34 years, and its departure marks the end of a familiar era. At the same time, the new location offers easier access and more room to grow.
Do you love Oregon?
Sign up for monthly emails full of local travel inspiration and fun trip ideas. In each newsletter we'll share upcoming events, new things to do, hot dining spots and great travel ideas.
The downtown store will close after business hours Sunday, ending a decades-long run in that iconic building. About a week later, the doors at Oakway will quietly swing open, marking the beginning of a roomier era for Eugene’s outdoor crowd.
