The empty parking lot in front of REI on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. 

Holiday shoppers hoping to score a last-minute gift at the REI in Berkeley found themselves empty-handed after the outdoor recreation retailer suddenly announced its indefinite closure over the weekend, citing the safety of its customers and staff. 

Puzzled passersby congregating outside of the store on San Pablo Avenue were greeted by a cryptic sign taped to the glass of the front door: “We’ve shut the store out of an abundance of caution and will only open it once we receive the proper approval deeming the store safe to reopen and enter,” it said. The sign informed people with pickup orders that they would be notified once their purchases were........

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