Renys

The family-owned retailer had intended its last day at 540 Congress St. to be Dec. 31 but pushed the closure up a day early due to illness and staff shortages, as noted in a sign on the door.

Maine's retail sector was a mixed bag of store openings and closings in 2025, from Warby Parker's arrival in the Old Port to the end of an era for Renys downtown.

"We gave it our best shot," John Reny, president of the family-owned discounter, told Mainebiz of the location at 540 Congress St. The store will end its 15-year run at the downtown location on Dec. 31.

The Boulos Co. has had a lot of showings to a range of businesses for the downtown space.

Located near the Maine College of Art and Design, Renys has long been an anchor business and employer in the neighborhood, selling clothing, household goods and non-perishable food items.

The discount retailer aims to open a store at Shaw's Plaza on Western Avenue before Christmas, the company's president told Mainebiz.

The family-owned discount retailer said that sales have not rebounded since the pandemic.

"There a lot of good stuff happening in Waterville," the company's president told Mainebiz as the family-owned discount retailer gets ready to open its 19th store there in April.

After a 10% tariff on goods imported from China took effect on Tuesday, the Asian nation responded with targeted countermeasures

The 'family-owned' story can be an important marketing tool. But not all such businesses understand its power.