Renys will open a store in Windham in late April, in a 2,700-square-foot section of the former Big Lots complex in the Windham Mall.
Summit Adventure, which has occupied the space for a few years, is consolidating into a smaller section of the complex, according to Kim Saucier, the company’s marketing manager.
The Windham location will be the 17th for the Maine-based department store chain.
Robert H. Reny opened the first location of the retail chain in Damariscotta 66 years ago, according to the company’s website. The Bridgton location was the second store to open, according to Reny’s son, John Reny, the company’s president.
“We’re a local company, so we know what people need,” Reny said. “We’ve got bug stuff when the bugs come, and sun stuff when the sun comes.”
Reny started working for the company when he was 5 years old, he said, “but that’s another story.”
Reny and his brother, Robert Reny, run the Damariscotta-based chain together. John Reny’s daughter and Robert Reny’s son are also part of the family business.
“We have third-generation help now, which is a big deal,” Reny said.
Saucier said Summit Adventure will remain open in a smaller footprint, and the move will not affect the services it offers. The most popular activities, including laser tag and inflatable obstacle courses, will continue to be offered during the renovation.
The temporary entrance to the facility will be located inside the mall, while a new exterior entrance is being built.
Tom Bartell, executive director of the Windham Economic Development Corp., said Renys “provides another great option for shoppers. It’s a real draw. It draws people from outside the community, and it’s a real asset for the community and market area.”
Previously, John Reny considered that a Windham location may be too close to the one in Bridgton. But since Windham has grown through the years, the company decided it is “a whole different shopping area” from Bridgton.
“We feel personally the same way,” Bartell said. “Windham is a different market location from Bridgton.”
A second Lakes Region-based Renys will be open at the Windham Mall in April, adding to the company’s 16 stores. The entrance to the Bridgton location is above.Send questions/comments to the editors.
