9 Stores That Could Replace Christmas Tree Shops in Scarborough, Maine

People across New England were stunned when Christmas Tree Shops announced that they would be closing all stores nationwide due to bankruptcy. The discount chain has been a staple in Maine and New Hampshire for years.

While some brick-and-mortar retailers like Christmas Tree Shops have struggled to straighten out their bottom line, many other retailers nationwide are thriving. With the departure of Christmas Tree Shops along a key stretch of road near the Maine Mall, opportunity will knock for another retailer to try their hand.

Here's nine stores that could replace Christmas Tree Shops in Scarborough, Maine.

Trader Joe's

The Trader Joe's location in Portland, Maine, is constantly overflowing, and with Shaws closing their Scarborough locations months ago, this could be a perfect time to strike. The vacant Christmas Tree Shops space would work well with a Trader Joe's footprint, and having another grocery store in the mall area would likely be welcomed with open arms.

Babies R Us

Don't call it a comeback, but it kind of is. After closing a ton of stores nationwide, Babies R Us is planning to re-establish itself in 2023 and open brick-and-mortar stores across the east coast. Babies R Us once had a location right down the street and parents looking to shop without visiting the mall would be overjoyed at its return.

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby has already started to move into Maine with stores in Auburn, Bangor, and Waterville. The arts and crafts store is still booming nationwide, and their typical store footprint would work well with the size of vacant Christmas Tree Shops stores. The problem for Scarborough? Michael's is located right next door, and probably wouldn't welcome the competition.

Boot Barn

Boot Barn is one of the fastest-growing brick-and-mortar retailers in America right now, and if they're looking to dive head first into Maine, this could be their chance. Boot Barn specializes in (you guessed it) boots, western wear, as well as work wear. The store has a very similar feel to Duluth Trading Company.

Dollar General

Dollar General has already built up a solid footprint throughout the state of Maine. Adding another store in a premium visibility location wouldn't hurt, though. In some ways, a Dollar General store would be the perfect replacement for Christmas Tree Shops in terms of what they carry and how it's priced.

Five Below

There's already a Five Below location nearby in South Portland, but that store has less square footage than a typical Five Below would feature. Similar to what we've seen with Burlington, Five Below could view the visibility and size of the Christmas Tree Shops store as a win-win, and make the jump down the road.

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble has been methodically opening stores across the country in recent years, taking a more measured approach to how they enter a market. Barnes & Noble has already begun their move into Maine by opening a new location in Brunswick this summer, and a Scarborough location with tons of a traffic may be too appealing to pass up.

Ross Dress for Less

In other states across the country, Ross Dress for Less is a staple of any mall area. The retailer currently operates more than 2,000 stores nationwide, with plans to expand to 3,000 stores over the next few years. That expansion could include Maine, and Ross could view the Christmas Tree Shops store as a great first foray into the Maine marketplace.

Floor & Decor

Floor & Decor is a fast-growing warehouse store that sells everything and anything you'd need to outfit your home with style. The retail chain currently operates in 36 states nationwide, but hasn't found its way to Maine yet. But they are moving into New England, and while the Christmas Tree Shops location may be too small for their footprint, keep your eye out for Floor & Decor in the future.