Renys is a family-owned department store chain operating in Maine, United States. The company was founded in 1949 by Robert H. Reny in Damariscotta and operates 17 locations throughout the state as of 2025. Renys specializes in selling closeout merchandise, production overruns, and factory seconds from major brands at discounted prices.
History
Founding and early years
Robert H. Reny, known as "R.H.," opened the first Renys store in Damariscotta, Maine in 1949.[2] The first winter proved challenging, with business so slow that R.H. had to sell merchandise door-to-door around the area using his old Hudson automobile to keep the store operational. This direct customer interaction helped him build relationships with local residents, who became loyal customers when they visited the store the following spring.[2]
R.H.'s business philosophy centered on purchasing quality merchandise at discounted prices and passing those savings to customers at the lowest possible prices.[2]