Midcoast Maine
A 10ft-tall Bean Boot sits outside the flagship LL Bean store. Although a hundred other stores have joined it in Freeport, the wildly popular LL Bean is…
Must-see shopping in Maine
Portland
Past the clever title of this shop is an excellent retail and arts space, showcasing the best of the state's contemporary crafts and maker movement. You…
Southern Maine Coast
This well-curated independent bookstore dedicated to crime, noir and suspense fiction is a treat, dripping with character and playful attitude. Staff are…
Portland
This is a great shop for comics, graphic novels and all the fantastically nerdy accoutrements that grow around such goods. There are shelves of horror…
Midcoast Maine
This small, friendly bookstore has well-curated stacks that include a solid local-interest section, and a kids' area that's a joy for parents with…
Down East
Chocolate lovers will go weak in the knees at this delightful shop near the epicenter of Blue Hill. Artisanal, handmade chocolates are made with fresh…
Down East
Chocolate lovers shouldn't miss a visit to this wondrous confectioner located on the main road leading into Lubec. You'll find delicacies of all sorts,…
North Maine Woods
This sprawling multi-room emporium in the center of Greenville is packed with eye candy. You'll find pillow cases, drinking glasses, mugs, stationery, T…
Portland
This cramped closet of a shop sells old books, cassettes, records, video games, VHS tapes and other bric-a-brac, and while the themes may not involve…
Down East
Though the General Store has been around since 1872, there's plenty of youthful verve to the place. You'll find craft beer, a good wine selection, local…
Down East
The kitsch factor is high at this whimsical emporium dedicated to Maine's best-loved berry. Walk into the blueberry-shaped building and load up on pies,…
Down East
New in 2018, the Compass Rose offers a thoughtfully curated selection of fiction and nonfiction, with plenty of shelf space dedicated to Maine authors and…
Midcoast Maine
This spacious, secondhand bookshop overlooks the Damariscotta River and is packed with more than 20,000 lovingly perused titles. The collection is…
Southern Maine Coast
An excellent example of Biddeford's revitalization, Hyperlite makes packs, outerwear and camping gear from Maine materials using a 100% local workforce…
Midcoast Maine
This is admittedly a store with very specific clientele, but if you're in the market for an instrument from the violin family, Frost Gully might have the…
Portland
This adult boutique sells plenty of lubes, toys and other accoutrements; what sets it apart is its status as a women-owned and -operated business. The…
Portland
This funky shop sells well-curated vintage clothes and homewares, unique handmade crafts, limited-edition greeting cards and anything else management can…
Down East
Just uphill from the waterfront, Blue Hill Books is a treasured resource. You'll find loads of titles by authors based locally and in wider Maine. It has…
Southern Maine Coast
This wonderful butcher shop sources meat found within 100 miles of Kittery, and makes a point of utilizing the whole animal carcass, which means only…
Down East
Offers a thoughtfully curated selection of wines (including some unusual varieties) as well as cheeses, coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. The shop…
Down East
An enticing place to browse for gifts, this small store has a well-curated selection of pottery and glassware, soaps, skincare products, tea towels, jams…
Down East
This colorful shop on Stonington's main drag has plenty of temptations, including jams, lobster-shaped chocolates, scarves, wool sweaters, jewelry, boldly…
Midcoast Maine
Games are the name of the, well, game here – but the important caveat is nonelectronic games: role players, puzzles, party games, war games etc. If you've…
Southern Maine Coast
For some local flavor, try the Kittery Trading Post. Opened as a one-room store in 1938, it now sells everything from kids' pajamas to secondhand guns and…
Portland
Keep an eye out for the big vinyl sign at this lovely little emporium, which only sells LPs. Inside you'll find a ton of cool older music, like rockabilly…
Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop
Midcoast Maine
Sherman's is a small bookstore chain with a hyper-regional midcoast Maine focus. Its Damariscotta branch stands a cut above its sister stores by sheer…
Portland
Besides having an excellent name, Portland's Flea-for-All is a fantastic secondhand market, full of everything from centuries-old silk kimonos and hand…
Southern Maine Coast
Flowing summer linens, comfortable winter woolens, plus nicely curated jewelry, ceramics, candles and similar gifts make Folk a perfect retail stop and…
Portland
Did you love New England seafood enough to decide you need some in your fridge at home? On Custom House Wharf, this iconic fishmonger packs lobsters to…
Down East
Pull over at Rooster Brother, a kitchenware boutique that also sells amazing roasted coffee. Step downstairs from the retail store for a coffee sample,…
Midcoast Maine
The list, 'Things you weren't expecting in little Maine oyster towns' is pretty much topped with 'A cool store that sells tons of vinyl, plus turntables,…
Midcoast Maine
This wonderful gallery-store sells jewelry, paintings and arts and crafts by artists living on Maine's islands and coast. It works in partnership with the…
Portland
If you're heading into the outdoors – you're in Maine, so we're guessing you are – Renys is a good spot to grab gear and clothes. That said, this is a…
Midcoast Maine
This pleasant independent bookstore has a nice rack of regional titles and an overwhelming selection of most other titles under the sun. Holds readings…
Midcoast Maine
A crust of bread, some cheese and oil, and thou? Seems like a good way to celebrate a good day on the midcoast, and to this end we recommend popping into…
Portland
Tea Collection, Go Gently, Nico Nico and other posh kid-focused brands are on offer at this tasteful children's boutique, where the only thing fancier…
Midcoast Maine
There are a thousand galleries in Camden (OK, we're exaggerating, but only just). Small Wonder stands out for its excellent curation and knowledgeable…
Western Maine
A worthwhile stop while strolling Main St, Bridgton Antiques is packed with treasures from the past. You'll find all manner of vintage housewares, kitchen…
Midcoast Maine
This cheeky gift shop is a cut above the average Maine seaside souvenir store (you can tell by the name alone). Handmade rugs, local jewelry and artsy…
Portland
Need a special kind of vase for that perfect Portland souvenir? Head to this cooperatively owned gallery featuring the work of a dozen or so different…
