Outdoor retailer REI is closing all 143 of its locations nationwide, including Mashapure’s Woodland Hills store, and paying nearly 12,000 employees to enjoy the outdoors as part of its #optoutside campaign.
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Seriously, step away from the shopping cart and the insane hordes of people who want the latest Kindle on Black Friday, the deadliest shopping day of the year.
Other store managers of REI also revealed their plans to go outside, such as rock climbing, mountain climbing, mountain biking and running.
And now the states of California and Minnesota are making it even more affordable to do so. Adventure seekers can take advantage of free overnight camping in Missouri’s state park Friday.
On Black Friday, The Trustees will offer free entry at its three gated properties, which include Crane Beach in Ipswich, World’s End in Hingham, and Bartholomew’s Cobble, a National Natural Landmark in Sheffield.
Dana Jones, who is from the Northern Division California State Parks, is delighted with the news.
REI reports 1 million Americans have committed to “opt outside” activities on Black Friday, many of them pledging to attend some of the 300 events listed on the website Meetup.com, including volleyball and surfing activities. The American Hiking Society, which is based in Maryland, said that they would be paying all their staff members, seven in all, to go outside and enjoy the great outdoors. “We think that Black Friday has gotten out of hand and so we are choosing to invest in helping people get outside with loved ones this holiday season, over spending it in the aisles”. “Sometimes people need that push”.
While some stores will already be promoting deals and opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, other businesses have shifted their stance on Black Friday and are instead offering their employees the day off.
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I’m kind of liking this alternative to Black Friday shopping that’s being thrown around. He instead urged people to spend more time with loved ones instead of joining the frantic crowds.
