January 1, Nike Bids Farewell to Portland Store Amidst Theft Surge

In a blow to the Portland community, Nike has confirmed that it will not reopen its flagship Community Factory Store on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Initially believed to be a temporary shuttering due to overwhelming theft, Nike’s decision has now turned permanent, much to the chagrin of local businesses and residents.

The Soul District Business Association unveiled the somber news in a recent release. Echoing the sentiments of many, SDBA executive director John Washington labeled the closure as “a major economic blow.”

Washington conveyed the deep sense of disillusionment pervading the district, stating, “This news has landed like a lead balloon in our district.”

He further added, “We had all been holding our breath since last November when the store quietly shuttered its doors due to internal and external theft and safety issues. But, like so many of us riding out the fallout of the pandemic and protests, we held out hope that Nike, city officials, and community leaders would recalibrate and realign order. But it looks like it’s game over.”

Come February, amidst the store’s silent hiatus, Nike was on the hunt for robust solutions to curb the crime menace plaguing the location. A notable proposition involved the hiring of off-duty police officers to detain shoplifters. However, the company’s bid hit a brick wall. Portland’s severe officer staffing shortages nixed any possibility of having dedicated police personnel for the store.

At the time, Nike emphasized its commitment to the safety of both its staff and clientele, stating, “The safety of our employees and consumers is a responsibility Nike takes very seriously.”

Portland Police shed light on the predicament in a statement to KATU-TV: “There are several large roadblocks that would have to be overcome, including the fact that with the level of staffing we have, we struggle to even fill overtime for regular shifts at the precincts. Reinstituting a program that allows for sworn PPB officers to work overtime at the request of businesses is a huge personnel lift I don’t believe we’re equipped to accommodate at the moment.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Nike stressed its profound commitment to the Portland community, emphasizing, “Nike’s commitment to supporting and uplifting Portland’s North and Northeast community is unwavering. We are reimagining Nike’s retail space, permanently closing our current location at 2650 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and considering future locations as part of this community’s long-term revitalization plan.”

The company vowed to prioritize community inputs when scouting for a new location, ensuring its employees’ interests remain paramount during this transition.

Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler, expressing his dismay over Nike’s decision, said he was “very disappointed.” He pointed out that his administration had “worked tirelessly and in good faith with Nike for almost a year to offer creative solutions to their safety challenges.”

Yet, as he reiterated, the city’s daunting staffing shortage stood as an insurmountable barrier. This shortage has been an ongoing ordeal for Portland, especially after its residents voted to defund the police department in 2020 – a decision that has come under scrutiny, given the city’s escalating crime wave.

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