'Beloved' Portland outdoor store to close its doors after nearly 3 decades

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- An alternative outdoor store with four Portland-area locations will be closing its doors after nearly three decades in business

Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen, the owners of Next Adventure, announced that the store would be closing later this year and that they would be retiring. The two childhood friends say their company "gradually grew into a beloved Portland institution."

Over the course of its 28 years in business, Next Adventure grew to have nearly 200 employees and $24 million in annual sales at its peak.

“It has been the joy of my life to be part of such a great industry and work with our wonderful customers. While retirement sounds pretty amazing right now, I will truly miss the camaraderie and community that we have built together. Thank you, Portland, for a great run," said Heykamp

The store will hold a closing sale beginning on May 28. The sale is expected to last into the summer.