The adventure ends: Why this iconic outdoor store is shutting down every location after 30 years in this troubled city
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For nearly thirty years, Next Adventure was more than just an outdoor gear shop—it was a cherished destination for adventurers from all walks of life.
With its renowned “Bargain Basement” and welcoming staff, the store became a hub for those seeking quality gear and expert advice.
Now, in a decision that has left many shocked, Next Adventure is closing all four of its locations, marking the end of a beloved institution in the world of outdoor retail.
A Portland Institution, Born from Friendship and Adventure
Founded in 1997 by childhood friends Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen, Next Adventure started as a modest 1,600-square-foot shop on SE Grand Avenue, specializing in used outdoor gear.
Over the years, it blossomed into a local institution, expanding to four locations across Oregon and peaking at nearly $24 million in annual sales.
For many, it was the place where outdoor dreams began—where you could gear up for your first snowshoe trek, kayak trip, or backpacking adventure without breaking the bank.
The store’s founders never lost sight of their original mission: to make the outdoors accessible to everyone.
“When we travel for trade shows, we have had people come up to us in the airport and tell us their story of how, because of Next Adventure, for the first time they were able to get out skiing or snowboarding or go hiking,” Heykamp shared. “That’s got to be at the top of my list of favorite moments. Ones where we know that we touched people’s lives.”
Why Is Next Adventure Closing?
So, what led to the heartbreaking decision to close up shop? The answer is a complex mix of personal, economic, and social factors.
Heykamp and Knudsen, now in their 60s, cited “uncertain times” and “challenges” as key reasons.
“There’s macroeconomics, there’s big things, there’s little things, there’s interest rates, there’s all kinds of things that we as business people face,” Heykamp explained.
The retail landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with rising costs, changing consumer habits, and the lingering effects of the pandemic all taking their toll.
Also read: These 39 bank branches are closing soon—Check if yours made the list!
But there’s another, more troubling factor at play: Portland’s ongoing struggle with crime and public safety.
The city has seen a wave of business closures in recent years, particularly in the downtown area, as retailers grapple with theft, vandalism, and rising security costs.
Next Adventure’s closure follows in the footsteps of other major outdoor retailers like REI, which shuttered its only Portland location after nearly two decades, citing an “unprecedented” number of break-ins and $800,000 spent on extra security in a single year.
A City in Transition: The Broader Impact on Portland’s Business Community
Next Adventure’s closure is just the latest in a string of high-profile exits from Portland’s retail scene.
National chains like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Nike have all closed stores in the area, often pointing to underperformance and rampant theft as deciding factors.
Since the pandemic, more than 2,600 downtown businesses have filed change-of-address forms with the US Postal Service, signaling a mass exodus from the city’s core.
While Portland’s overall crime rates have started to improve, downtown remains a hotspot for retail theft and property crime.
In 2022, six percent of all burglary callouts in downtown Portland were to REI alone, and dramatic incidents—like a car ramming into the store’s front window—became all too common.
Yet, there are glimmers of hope. Recent surveys show that efforts to revitalize downtown are making a difference. The nonprofit Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has helped reduce visible drug use and improved cleanliness, with nearly all 300 participating businesses reporting satisfaction with the results.
Also read: Why 23 CVS stores are closing—and what it means for your prescriptions
Reports of theft and shoplifting dropped from 47% in 2023 to 30% in 2024, and more than half of businesses now say they feel comfortable operating downtown.
Still, challenges remain. Nearly a third of businesses say employees have quit due to safety concerns—a number that, while down from previous years, is still far too high.
What’s Next for Next Adventure—and for Portland?
As Next Adventure prepares to close its doors for good, the owners are inviting the community to stop by for one last “retirement store closing sale,” with all inventory up for grabs.
The sale, which began May 28, is expected to last into the summer due to the sheer volume of gear on hand.
For Heykamp and Knudsen, the end of Next Adventure is bittersweet. “The fact that we started this business to hang out together and to do fun adventures together, and now we get to do that full time in retirement, it sounds pretty exciting to me,” Heykamp reflected.
Read next: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
Did Next Adventure play a role in your outdoor journey? Do you have thoughts on the challenges facing Portland’s small businesses—or ideas for how the city can bounce back? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below!
With its renowned “Bargain Basement” and welcoming staff, the store became a hub for those seeking quality gear and expert advice.
Now, in a decision that has left many shocked, Next Adventure is closing all four of its locations, marking the end of a beloved institution in the world of outdoor retail.
A Portland Institution, Born from Friendship and Adventure
Founded in 1997 by childhood friends Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen, Next Adventure started as a modest 1,600-square-foot shop on SE Grand Avenue, specializing in used outdoor gear.
Over the years, it blossomed into a local institution, expanding to four locations across Oregon and peaking at nearly $24 million in annual sales.
For many, it was the place where outdoor dreams began—where you could gear up for your first snowshoe trek, kayak trip, or backpacking adventure without breaking the bank.
The store’s founders never lost sight of their original mission: to make the outdoors accessible to everyone.
Next Adventure, a much-loved outdoor gear retailer founded in 1997, is closing all four of its Oregon stores this year after nearly three decades in business. Image source: KOIN 6 / Youtube.
“When we travel for trade shows, we have had people come up to us in the airport and tell us their story of how, because of Next Adventure, for the first time they were able to get out skiing or snowboarding or go hiking,” Heykamp shared. “That’s got to be at the top of my list of favorite moments. Ones where we know that we touched people’s lives.”
Why Is Next Adventure Closing?
So, what led to the heartbreaking decision to close up shop? The answer is a complex mix of personal, economic, and social factors.
Heykamp and Knudsen, now in their 60s, cited “uncertain times” and “challenges” as key reasons.
“There’s macroeconomics, there’s big things, there’s little things, there’s interest rates, there’s all kinds of things that we as business people face,” Heykamp explained.
The retail landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with rising costs, changing consumer habits, and the lingering effects of the pandemic all taking their toll.
Also read: These 39 bank branches are closing soon—Check if yours made the list!
But there’s another, more troubling factor at play: Portland’s ongoing struggle with crime and public safety.
The city has seen a wave of business closures in recent years, particularly in the downtown area, as retailers grapple with theft, vandalism, and rising security costs.
Next Adventure’s closure follows in the footsteps of other major outdoor retailers like REI, which shuttered its only Portland location after nearly two decades, citing an “unprecedented” number of break-ins and $800,000 spent on extra security in a single year.
A City in Transition: The Broader Impact on Portland’s Business Community
Next Adventure’s closure is just the latest in a string of high-profile exits from Portland’s retail scene.
National chains like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Nike have all closed stores in the area, often pointing to underperformance and rampant theft as deciding factors.
The owners cited “uncertain times”, ongoing industry challenges, and their own approaching retirement as key reasons for the closure, choosing to shut down rather than sell the business. Image source: KOIN 6 / Youtube.
Since the pandemic, more than 2,600 downtown businesses have filed change-of-address forms with the US Postal Service, signaling a mass exodus from the city’s core.
While Portland’s overall crime rates have started to improve, downtown remains a hotspot for retail theft and property crime.
In 2022, six percent of all burglary callouts in downtown Portland were to REI alone, and dramatic incidents—like a car ramming into the store’s front window—became all too common.
Yet, there are glimmers of hope. Recent surveys show that efforts to revitalize downtown are making a difference. The nonprofit Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has helped reduce visible drug use and improved cleanliness, with nearly all 300 participating businesses reporting satisfaction with the results.
Also read: Why 23 CVS stores are closing—and what it means for your prescriptions
Reports of theft and shoplifting dropped from 47% in 2023 to 30% in 2024, and more than half of businesses now say they feel comfortable operating downtown.
Still, challenges remain. Nearly a third of businesses say employees have quit due to safety concerns—a number that, while down from previous years, is still far too high.
What’s Next for Next Adventure—and for Portland?
As Next Adventure prepares to close its doors for good, the owners are inviting the community to stop by for one last “retirement store closing sale,” with all inventory up for grabs.
The sale, which began May 28, is expected to last into the summer due to the sheer volume of gear on hand.
For Heykamp and Knudsen, the end of Next Adventure is bittersweet. “The fact that we started this business to hang out together and to do fun adventures together, and now we get to do that full time in retirement, it sounds pretty exciting to me,” Heykamp reflected.
Read next: A popular pharmacy just made a big financial move—will your meds be affected?
Did Next Adventure play a role in your outdoor journey? Do you have thoughts on the challenges facing Portland’s small businesses—or ideas for how the city can bounce back? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below!
