*Photo Courtesy of Corey Templeton
We are proud to be kicking off our Dealer of the Week series for Winter 11/12 with one of our favorite Maine establishments: Renys.
Renys shoes, a chain of small department stores in Maine, has been a part of the state’s culture since 1949. Founded on the principles of fair play, good value, service, affordability, and quality, Renys got its start in 1949 when Robert H. Reny (aka R.H.) opened his first store in Damariscotta, Maine.
The first winter was so slow that in order to keep the store open, Robert had to go door to door around the area selling merchandise out of his old Hudson. That winter he made so many friends that in the spring his new friends came in to shop at the store and the business has been growing ever since! His philosophy was simple – offer great value, make great buys of better merchandise and sell at the lowest possible price to his customers, a philosophy that continues today.
Today, Renys employs between 375 and 475 employees and has 16 store locations in Maine (as we publish this article), and is one of the very few family owned businesses that still exist in the State. They have partnered with us for over 10 years as one of our best & longest standing dealers.
Renys is such a long standing institution in the state of Maine, that it even inspired an original musical, performed for the first time in March of 2003 at the Waldo Theatre. Renys the Musical was performed in February of 2007 at the Lincoln Theatre in Damariscotta, Maine, and in June of 2006 at the Deertrees Theatre in Harrison, Maine. Ya can’t make this stuff up folks!
