Berkeley REI has reopened, building is safe, company says
"A structural engineer has completed an evaluation and confirmed the building is safe," REI Co-op said in a prepared statement.
Berkeley REI is back in business just in time for last-minute holiday shopping.
"A structural engineer has completed an evaluation and confirmed the building is safe for occupancy," REI Co-op told The Scanner in a prepared statement.
The store reopened at 11 a.m. Wednesday, a spokesperson said.
The store closed Saturday evening after staffers heard "a loud boom on the roof" at about 7 p.m., "causing one of the wooden support beams on the ceiling to be bent."
That night, the store was set to stay open until 10 in preparation for holiday crowds.
Instead, "store management swiftly closed the store early due to safety concerns for staff and customers," a staffer said earlier this week on condition of anonymity. "Last I heard they’re installing reinforcement on the bent beam and are still awaiting confirmation from an inspector that it’s safe for folks to even be on the floor."
On Monday, the city of Berkeley said it was not involved with the closure.
There have been no further updates.
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Emilie Raguso
