A major American brand appears to be closing an iconic store – but shoppers are confused by a cryptic message

A Nike store has been mostly closed for the past few months, leaving shoppers confused as to whether or not the store will permanently close its doors.

The athletic apparel store does not have a sign on the front of its Portland, Oregon location at 2650 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

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Nike’s website states the location is “closed for the next 7 days”.

Earlier this month, another location in downtown Seattle, Washington, closed after serving the community for more than two decades.

The sports retail giant didn’t explain why the Portland location was closing at the time.

However, some believe this is due to a shift in Nike’s retail strategy as it seeks to emphasize “sell direct to consumers” online and in person, according to the Seattle Times.

A new shop is due to open in Bellevue soon.

Some members of the Portland community say the store closure may be a result of theft in the city.

Police data showed there were about 276 cases of shoplifting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard location, according to KGW-TV.

Nike officials have also allegedly informed a community leader that thefts are rampant at the store and are affecting the site’s revenue.

The store isn’t empty either, as there have been reports of workers restocking the shelves on January 18.

This special Nike Community Store has existed since 1984 and is still central to the Black community.

Civil rights attorney Ron Herndon and the Black United Front had discussions with Nike to bring the store to the area back in the 1980s.

“This was a time when there was no investment from the city and the area was falling into disrepair. And we felt like there were a number of companies that could help support the black community,” Herndon told the Seattle Times.

“Nike has done what no other company, whether city authority or organization, has been willing to do.”

He went on to say that Nike has promised to hire community members for site employees and take profits and reinvest them in the area.

According to Herndon, the sportswear brand has been doing just that for years.

“This store has always been a tremendous source of pride in the black community,” he noted.

However, Herndon claimed he spoke to some Nike officials and said, “It’s painful for them to think about never opening it again.”

According to John Washington, executive director of the Soul District Business Association, the Nike store has spurred economic growth in the area despite theft problems.

If the store closes, it would feel like a “betrayal” to him.

“If Nike were to really close the store without notice, it would definitely be a betrayal of the community,” he told the Seattle Times.

“We hope they continue to support the community. We hope that they will not let us down when they are in transition. Given the history we have with them, we remain optimistic.”

The US Sun has reached out to Nike for official comment on the current Portland facility closure.

This news comes as theft from retailers across the US has increased and many others are closing their doors for other reasons during the so-called “retail apocalypse”.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillion recently told CNBC’s Squawk Box that the company has “historically high” theft rates.

This could mean price increases for items and store closures.

Macy’s in particular is in the process of closing 150 stores.

Bed Bath & Beyond is currently in the midst of a debt crisis and is closing over 120 locations.

The US Sun has compiled a whole list of several retailers whose locations will close in 2023.

For more related content, check out The US Sun’s coverage of major fashion stores also closing multiple locations this month.