JD’S Package Store & Redemption Center, located at 13 Sokokis Trail in East Waterboro, Maine, was founded in 1992 by James Kurtz. After James had worked as an auto and machine mechanic for over 28 years, he wanted to go into business for himself. He wanted to start a business that would still be thriving for years to come. James, or Pops, as everyone knew him, knew that alcohol, cigarettes, and lottery would never go outdated and furthermore adding a redemption center for his customers to return their empty bottles completed the full circle.

A short year later, in 1993, Pops asked his youngest son, Michael Allen, to help him run the business. The business started out in a 30 x 60 square foot building that housed the redemption center and the store under one roof with three employees. Over the years a 60 x 80 square foot building was built for the redemption center and the store was enlarged to 80 x 70 square feet and grew to 19 employees.

Through the years, JD’S Package Store & Redemption Center has served as a benefactor for the local food pantry and a host of local school sports and teams, as well as a contributor to dozens of local fundraisers. In addition to donating, the store has approximately 50 ongoing bottle drives for local nonprofit organizations.

Pops also wanted the store to be opened every day of the year. Not a day has passed that JD’S has not been opened. Pops passed away in 2015, leaving his son, Michael, the sole own­er. To keep his father’s memory alive, Michael ensures JD’S is known as your neighborhood friendly one stop store open every day of the year just as his father built it over 25 years ago.