Here’s What is Moving Into the Old Toys ‘R’ Us Plaza in South Portland, Maine

It doesn't seem all that long ago that Toys 'R' Us and Kids 'R' Us ruled the shopping plaza at 301 Maine Mall Road in South Portland. As it turns out, it was quite a while ago, with the iconic Toys 'R' Us store visible from the Maine Turnpike closing for good back in 2018.

Plenty has changed in that plaza since. Stores have come and gone (including several iterations of Spirit Halloween) before two retailers settled on their spaces: Bernie and Phyl's Furniture and Eastern Mountain Sports.

Unfortunately, the tenure of Eastern Mountain Sports didn't last long, and it's appeared over the last several months that the large retail space next to Bernie and Phyl's may be headed for a lengthy vacancy. But that won't be the case.

Signs have gone up, alerting potential shoppers that Maine is about to get its first location of the popular western-wear and shoe chain called Boot Barn. Boot Barn currently operates more than 380 stores nationwide.

Boot Barn is pretty straightforward about what to expect when they open. Their stores are all about cowboy attire and heritage-wear, as well as shoes and boots; cowboy boots, work boots, and anything else you'd expect to see on the feet of people in the old west or modern-day Texas.

If you love the smell of leather and leather products, jeans, and other decor and gifts centered around Old West culture, you're going to quickly fall in love with Boot Barn.

Boot Barn will be the second major U.S. chain to make its debut in the Maine Mall area this spring. Floor & Decor, an up-and-coming competitor to Home Depot, is currently renovating the old Christmas Tree Shops in Scarborough.

Boot Barn expects their grand opening in South Portland to be on May 21.