Waterville, Maine, to Get Its Very First Reny’s

Reny's is coming to Waterville, Maine, replacing JCPenney.

After 40 years, JCPenney at Elm Plaza will close this fall, according to Central Maine. But it's being replaced with a Maine adventure: Reny's.

John Reny said that they will move into the old JCPenney and should be open in April 2025. He told Central Maine,

We’re just happy to be coming to another great town, Waterville, and we’re happy the people want us to be there. That’s a nice thing to know.

Reny's has been around for 76 years.  I don't know one Mainer who hasn't shopped at Reny's, and most of them have bought Carhart at a discount. They have everything, from food to shoes and even toilet bowl cleaner. Waterville will be Maine's 19th Reny's. They just opened in Bangor. It's nice to see them expanding and growing as a Maine company. Meanwhile, the Waterville JCPenney will close for good on September 22.

The passing of the guard.

There is some sentimentality to JCPenney. It may not have Maine roots, but it has American roots. It's been around for over 120 years. It was always an anchor store in a mall, and was THE place for back-to-school shopping.

Those who shop at the Waterville JCPenney were sad when they heard that it was closing. As 71-year-old Paula Raymond told Central Maine,

Glad to welcome Renys. Sad to read that JC is leaving.

For that nostalgia, there are four JCPenney stores still in Maine: Auburn, Bangor, Presque Isle, and South Portland.