The news that Next Adventure would permanently shutter all locations come September hit local outdoorsy types pretty hard. Next Adventure has been a homegrown fixture of the outdoor retail landscape in Portland for 28 years, and gave off rebellious ski bum energy the whole time. The signs around the 426 SE Grand Ave. store were often of the Sharpie-on-cardboard variety, with or without a joke. One thing that was no laughing matter: Next Adventure’s bargain basement, plus regular sales, where shoppers could pick up new and used gear for a song. Its liquidation sale kicked off May 28 and goes through the end of September.

And while many parents cannot imagine how they will now outfit their young, growing skiers each winter without Next Adventure’s November Ski Swap, somehow we must all pers

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