Freeport, Me. — L.L.Bean, the legendary outdoor retailer since 1912, has completed a 7-year, $50 million renovation to its Freeport, Me., flagship store. Grand opening celebrations are scheduled to take place Sept. 18 through Oct. 25, 2026. The modern, reimagined flagship stays true to L.L.Bean’s heritage but also offers more retail space (150,000 square feet), new areas to explore and thoughtful features throughout.
According to the company website, “Every detail is intended to immerse customers in the outdoor lifestyle and surround them with the products to help them enjoy it.”
Women’s Wear Daily reports that the retailer had to operate out of a temporary tent for 2 years during renovations.
New features include:
- A redesigned main entrance welcomes visitors with a grand double staircase.
- A new two-tiered trout pond holds 15,000-gallon of water — twice the size of the previous pond — with improved accessibility and enhanced viewing areas.
- An expanded stream tank offers 6,000 gallons of swimming space for our fish and more accessible viewing bubbles for guests.
- An all-new Custom Shop provides expanded monogramming, engraving and embossing options.
- An expanded 1912 Café has nearly doubled in size and features an updated menu and seating overlooking the Custom Shop and Main Street.
- A reimagined Kids’ department is designed for play and captures the spirit of Maine summer camp all year long.
- A significantly expanded Discovery Park adds 17,000 square feet of green space for recreation, events and outdoor programming.
- Heritage moments throughout the store celebrate L.L.Bean’s history, iconic products and flagship legacy.
- A cozy New England village-inspired design creates a cohesive look and feel across the campus.
The store has undergone many expansions and updates since its founder, Leon Leonwood Bean, opened his first retail space above the Freeport post office in 1917. The original structure was demolished decades ago, but the final design of its reimagined flagship is intended to highlight L.L.Bean’s history and heritage, with archival items and interactive moments that tell the story of the company over the years.
As longtime stewards of the outdoors, the new flagship also is grounded in more sustainable design decisions — from choosing greener building materials to finding new homes for fixtures and elements that are no longer needed. The store will also be incorporating high-efficiency heating and cooling that reduces overall energy consumption.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great-grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named chairman of the board of directors in 2013. L.L.Bean operates over 70 stores in 20 states across the United States, along with 18 stores in Japan and 16 stores in Canada, in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-square-foot L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, Me., is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. For more information, visit www.llbean.com.
SOURCE: L.L.Bean, Women’s Wear Daily