The company has completed its years-long, $50M renovation and reimagining of its iconic flagship and the surrounding campus in its home of Freeport, Maine.
After closing for nearly two years, the 150,000sq ft store will reopen with a series of six celebratory weekends starting with the grand opening of 18- 20 September. This will be followed by five themed weekends of activities, concerts and one-of-a-kind experiences designed to showcase new and improved features and welcome customers back to the beloved store, L.L.Bean said.
The re-opening comes as the outdoor apparel and gear retailer is expanding to new markets. It plans to open eight stores in 2026, including its first-ever locations in Alabama and Tennessee.
The flagship and campus are designed to immerse customers in the outdoor lifestyle inspired by Maine and surround them with the products designed to enjoy it. “Heritage” moments throughout the space celebrate signature Bean products such as the Bean Boot, as well as the flagship through its various eras. (The company founded by Leon Leonwood Bean in 1912 selling the “Maine Hunting Shoe” by mail order from his brother’s basement. The first store opened in 1917, above the post office in Freeport.)
A new first-floor primary entrance centred by a grand staircase welcomes customers into the elevated shopping experience. A two-tiered trout pond, twice the size of the previous one, fronts the grand staircase with more viewpoints and better accessibility.
“Reimagining an icon is an extraordinary undertaking and the result reflects the passion, creativity and dedication of the team behind it,” said Greg Elder, President and CEO of L.L.Bean. “We know our customers share our anticipation and we can’t wait to see the store come to life in September with their return.”
