L.L.Bean will unveil its redesigned flagship campus in Freeport in September after a multiyear renovation, the company announced Thursday.
The reopening weekend is planned for Sept. 18-20. Grand opening celebrations, including concerts, contests, giveaways and other special events, will continue through October.
The company first announced the $50 million makeover of its home base in 2023. During the renovation, much of the store’s products were moved to Camp L.L.Bean, a 28,000-square-foot, hard-sided “tent” erected in a nearby parking area.
Updates to the store include a new entrance and facade, new fish enclosures and expanded monogramming and kids’ departments. The new flagship includes a cafe and adds green space to Discovery Park, which sits in the middle of campus.
“Reimagining an icon is an extraordinary undertaking, and the result reflects the passion, creativity and dedication of the team behind it,” Greg Elder, president and CEO of L.L.Bean, said in a prepared release. “We know our customers share our anticipation and we can’t wait to see the store come to life in September with their return. The wait is almost over, and there’s no doubt it will have been worth it.”
Opening celebration events will be announced on the company’s flagship reboot webpage.
“When my great-grandfather, L.L., opened his first retail space above the Freeport post office in 1917, he never imagined what it would become — our home for more than 110 years and the unofficial hub of downtown, welcoming more than 3 million visitors a year,” Shawn Gorman, board chairman and great-grandson of the company’s founder, said in a statement.
“This is as much a celebration of his legacy and for Freeport as it is for L.L.Bean. We can’t wait to unveil to our customers and our community a flagship for the next century.”
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