Shopping
This is not mall country—most shops and stores are independents and often owner-operated. Meet and buy directly from artisans, entrepreneurs, and families in their shops, studios, workshops and homes. The latter is a little scary to city-folk, but the rule here is if there is an OPEN flag flying or a welcome sign, then you just drive right up to the house and knock on the door. Think of it as a shopping adventure. Some of the best treasures are found in out-of the-way places. DownEast & Acadia has a venerable craft tradition in baskets, boat-building, quilts, woodwork, wreaths, and beadwork. The Maine Craft Association is a great resource (For your search, Hancock County is the western part of our region, Washington County is the eastern portion). Maine Fiberarts sponsors tours, exhibits and special events and can point you to a wealth of shopping opportunities from clothing and knitted wear to rugs and handmade paper. And be sure to check out shops featuring local Maine Made products including, gifts, crafts, arts from furniture to dog biscuits, chocolate to stoneware, felted mittens to cranberry chutney—all made by hand here locally.