26 Best Shopping in Penobscot Bay, Maine

Run by the Island Institute, this inviting shop showcases an array of fine creations by Maine artists and artisans. On display are wooden goods, jewelry, soaps, books, housewares, clothing, fine art, and more.

This beautiful, multifloor gallery is nestled inside a jewel box of a building that was once a bank. Step inside, feast your eyes on fine contemporary paintings, beautifully wrought gold jewelry, sculpture, and perhaps purchase a new treasure. Be sure to go up to the rooftop sculpture garden. It's a delightful spot with views over the town to the harbor.

Featuring tea towels, napkins, the softest T-shirts, and other textiles hand-printed in Rockport with delightful animals and other nature themes, this inviting shop also stocks home goods, glassware, cards, cooking and gardening books, and plants.

A feast for the eyes, this lovely, two-floor gallery showcases a wide variety of beautifully wrought works, almost all of it created by Maine artists. There are paintings, sculptures large and small, carvings, unusual jewelry, cards, and more.

Think of this store as a mini L.L. Bean, with a good selection of premier outdoor apparel and gear and knowledgeable staff to help with your selection. In addition, you can rent kayaks, canoes, SUPs, bikes, camping gear, and winter sports equipment. Maine Sport also offers a roster of guided fresh- and saltwater canoe, kayak, SUP, and fishing trips and tours, plus biking and hiking tours.

There is also a shop on Main Street in Camden, plus a third location in Rockland.

An anchor in downtown Belfast, this two-decade-old gallery showcases the work of a super-talented family: luminescent paintings by Joanne Parent; dreamlike, mixed-media creations by Lee Parent; and masterful, mostly black-and-white or sepia photographs of the Maine coast and its fishing vessels and traditional windjammers by Neal Parent. These are complemented by the work of a handful of other talented artists.

Said to be the world's only Alice in Wonderland--theme candy store, Splendiferous is tucked into a charmingly petite former bank building. You'll be greeted by the Queen of Hearts or Alice from behind a counter laden with excellent house-made chocolates. Choices include macaroons, macarons, turtles, filled chocolates, and needhams (an old-fashioned Maine coconut candy). A small, original vault is chockablock with "penny" candy. The ladies also serve ice cream that's churned just up the road in Ellsworth, and drinks made from locally roasted coffee. Ask to peek into the secret door at the end of the counter.

For luxurious handcrafted blankets, throws, pillows, wraps, and scarves, look no further. All products are made in Maine using natural, heirloom-quality yarns. The expert craftsmanship explains the hefty price tag.

The irresistible assortment of adornments for garden and home spills out onto the sidewalk at this charming shop in a sweet building just off Main Street. You'll find everything from wrought-iron planters to beautiful cloth napkins.

It's a surprise to find such an upscale lingerie shop in a small town. The experienced saleswomen specialize in personalized, professional, and respectful bra fittings. The inventory includes dozens of fine brands in a wide range of sizes.

You'll find multiple appealing women's clothing shops along Main Street, but this is one of the best and the oldest. The clothing is stylish yet comfortable, with some boho pieces. The shop also carries a nice selection of jewelry.

It can be hard to choose your favorites from the fine olive oils, flavored olive oils, and balsamic vinegars displayed in large, spigoted containers all around the room here. Tasting a drop of a few of them is half the fun, and you'll soon know which ones you just have to add to your culinary repertoire.

The sweet scent of lavender will draw you into this petite shop. Many of the products, including lotions and sachets, are made using lavender from the owner's farm in the nearby countryside. Also on offer are candles, soaps, pottery, Italian and French cosmetics, and locally made and European clothing.

Belfast is blessed with multiple small bookshops, including Left Bank Books, located in the historic opera house building just off Main Street in the heart of downtown. It's the sort of place where you begin seeing books you want as soon as you step in the door. And if you don't, the knowledgeable staff will find it for you or happily order it. Books by Maine authors—many of them autographed—are a specialty.

This full-service florist offers a wonderful array of gourmet foods, local charcuterie, chocolates, wines, craft beers, high-quality olive oils, and cheeses. There's a small deck where you can enjoy harbor views.

This is a wonderful place to find meaningful souvenirs of Maine. Made by dozens of Maine artisans, the finely hand-crafted pieces include jewelry, pottery, paintings, fine photography, clothing, skincare products, preserves, and household items.

Tucked toward the back of the first floor of the Thorndike Building, this little shop brims over with delightful, one-of-a-kind home and garden decor. Many of the items are assemblages of upcycled vintage elements, put together by creative shop owner David Robichaud. His partner is Ollie, his English springer spaniel, who's usually in the shop on Saturday.

With lots of great toys, plus books, games, and stuffed animals, this is the place for families, kids, people who wish they were kids, and grandparents. The quality of the products is well above average.

If you're captivated by the beauty of the Maine Coast, come here to make a little of the scenery your own, in the form of a painting or other work of art created by excellent local artists. Rendered in a variety of media, there are landscapes, seascapes, and other compelling images that exude the mystique of Maine. 

This emporium is a longtime local favorite. Jewelry, candles, stylish clothing, shoes, toiletries, gifts, toys—you'll find all that and lots more here. 

Calling itself "a general store for the 21st century," the Green Store stocks a wide variety of household items, clothing, cards, and many other products. Most of the goods in this inviting emporium come from organic sources and all emphasize sustainability and preservation of the environment. It's a great place to browse, and chances are you'll discover something you need, or didn't need but have to have.

Jam-packed with gifts, souvenirs, fudge, books, cards, tote bags, home-decor items, jewelry, clothing, and so much more, this inviting, old-fashioned store has been a fixture on Main Street since 1940. Dogs are always welcome, and always get a biscuit. Don't miss the little back porch overlooking the harbor. Locals look forward to the annual half-price sale before the store closes in late October.

Located at the very southern end of Main Street, this small shop-factory in a sweet house is a great place to pick up well-priced, lightly scented, 100% vegan soaps made from pure olive, palm, and coconut oils with such additional ingredients as aloe, lemongrass, rosemary, citrus, and rose petal; there are more than a dozen varieties. Place unwrapped squares of soap in provided small, waxy bags and save $2 off the price of gift-wrapped bars. The shop also sells gift-boxed soaps plus a small selection of white pottery goods and skincare accessories.

Proprietor Laura Brown displays beautifully handcrafted, sleek, and functional items for the home in an open and uncluttered space, drawing visitors in to browse and buy. The appealing selection ranges from handsome pottery and leather goods to textiles, soaps, and jewelry. Brown features rotating art shows in a gallery nook at the back of the shop.

In this real-life candy land, you'll find anything your sweet tooth could be craving: "penny" candy, gummies, fudge, chocolates, truffles, jellybeans, taffy, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, and so much more. Seasonal treats include hot-chocolate bombs and molded chocolates for every holiday.

In a collection of 19th-century buildings, you'll find beautifully crafted Windsor-style beds, chests, china cabinets, tables, highboys, and chairs, as well as Shaker pieces. There are 18 rooms of furniture on display, but most items are made to order. Be sure to peep into the converted barn workshop to watch the skilled artisans at work. It's easy to understand why the cost of larger pieces reaches into the thousands.