"Beloved Outdoor Chain with 181 Stores to Close Shop in Days, Shoppers Cry Foul"

REI, a popular outdoor equipment and clothing store, is set to close its long-time location in Santa Monica, California, at the end of February, leaving many shoppers upset. The closure comes after the recent shutdown of another major location in Portland, Oregon. Despite the disappointment, REI fans can still visit the newly opened location in Marina del Rey. The company cited a shift in customer needs and the overall operating environment as reasons for the closure, and it remains unclear if growing retail theft played a role.