At the last day of REI's flagship NYC store

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Yesterday's final day at REI's NYC flagship brought plenty of discounted camping gear — and plenty of emotions. 

By day's end, the outdoor retailer had closed its only NYC location after 15 years in the Puck Building at Lafayette and Houston. 

The pending closure was announced last October. REI has said the decision was part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing business conditions while focusing on long-term growth.

When we stopped by yesterday, much of the 35,000-square-foot store had already been roped off, with empty shelves throughout as shoppers picked over the remaining merchandise.

Several employees, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity outside the store, said they believe the closure is retaliation for workers' efforts to unionize. 

They noted that the SoHo location is one of REI's unionized stores and said the company's Boston store — another unionized location — is also slated to close. 

REI has publicly cited business reasons for the closures and has not said they are related to union activity.

"Any claim that this store is closing because of unionization is simply not true," a spokesperson told WWD. "As we shared with our employees and members last fall, the decision was based on broader business considerations and our need to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs."

Employees also told us they have not been offered transfers to other REI stores and instead must re-apply for any open positions elsewhere within the company. 

Inside, there were some bittersweet moments as longtime customers stopped to thank staffers for their years of service.

More than one conversation ended with hugs — and a few tears. 

With the NYC store now closed, the nearest REI locations for city residents are in Carle Place on Long Island and East Hanover, N.J.

For many outdoor enthusiasts — and local residents who remember when the space housed Eastern Mountain Sports — it's the end of an era.