Next Adventure

Last updated

Next Adventure
Industry Outdoor sports
FoundedJuly 1997
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon
,
United States
Website nextadventure.net

Next Adventure is an outdoor sports retail company based in Portland, Oregon, United States.

Contents

History

Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen opened Next Adventure in July 1997 on Southeast Grand Avenue, Portland, Oregon. [1] [2] The two were longtime friends and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and worked in Seattle to gain experience before starting their business. They collected gear from garage sales and thrift stores, [1] investing $30,000 in inventory. [3] 80 percent of the store's inventory consisted of used items at its opening. [1] By 1999, Jim Hill of The Oregonian reported that the business was "growing modestly"; the store had made $500,000 in revenue in 1998, with a six- to eight-percent profit margin. [3]

The company later opened an additional store and two centers for water sports in the Portland metropolitan area, [4] [5] and an online shopping website. [6] Between 2012 and 2015, its revenue increased from $12 million to $15 million. [7] By 2017, about 65 percent of Next Adventure's inventory was new stock. [1] The company had 150 employees by 2019, double their staffing from 2012. [7] Across its 28 years in operation, it peaked at 200 employees and $24 million in annual sales. [8]

Next Adventure organized regular expeditions for sports such as skiing, kayaking, and backpacking until 2021, when the owners decided to discontinue the outings because of a liability lawsuit which nearly ruined the company. [1] [9] [10]

In May 2025, Heykamp and Knudsen announced that they would be closing Next Adventure, [5] planning to shut down all locations by late 2025. [10] Heykamp said they had approached several potential buyers, but felt that none were the "right fit", with unpredictable economic conditions in the United States making the business difficult to sell. Veronica Nocera of The Oregonian noted that Next Adventure's announcement followed several other closures in Portland – including of other outdoor retailers like Andy and Bax and REI – after the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] Heykamp also expressed Knudsen's and his motivations to retire, [10] and, in an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, their desire to "go out on [their] terms." [11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hostetter, Kristin (March 20, 2017). "Retailer spotlight: Next Adventure in Portland, Oregon". Outside . Archived from the original on December 3, 2022.
  2. ↑ Richard, Terry (November 12, 1997). "Camping? Avoid cold with a yurt". The Oregonian . p. D9 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2
  4. ↑ Lawrence, Demi (May 12, 2025). "Next Adventure to close, entire inventory to be sold" . Portland Business Journal . Archived from the original on June 4, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Nocera, Veronica (May 15, 2025). "As Next Adventure prepares to close, co-owner says Portland's outdoor scene remains 'resilient'" . The Oregonian . Archived from the original on May 15, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Next Adventure to close after almost 30 years of business". KATU . May 12, 2025. Archived from the original on July 27, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Chandler, John (August 2, 2019). "Next Adventure awaits next opportunity" . Portland Business Journal . Archived from the original on August 6, 2025.
  8. ↑ Boddie, Ken; Rawlings, Matt (May 13, 2025). "'Beloved' Portland outdoor store to close its doors after nearly 3 decades". KOIN . Archived from the original on May 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ Jaquiss, Nigel (February 15, 2023). "Ski resorts and wilderness guides want more protection from lawsuits". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on July 3, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Saslow, Rachel (May 12, 2025). "Outdoor retailer Next Adventure to close its doors after 28 years". Willamette Week . Archived from the original on July 20, 2025.
  11. ↑ Ligori, Crystal (May 15, 2025). "Iconic Portland outdoor store closing after 28 years". Oregon Public Broadcasting . Archived from the original on June 18, 2025.
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