29 Best Places to Shop in Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle, Maine

In addition to having a well-rounded selection of books, magazines, and stationery, this fabulous independent bookstore cosponsors many literary events throughout the year. The staff is unusually adept at helping with selections and making thoughtful reading recommendations.

As much a community gathering spot as a specialty food and wine shop, the owners here hold regular tastings and events in their restored barn and Cape-style house. One of Blue Hill’s earliest residences, this shop carries more than 3,000 carefully selected wines, as well as cheeses, breads, groceries, local and imported beer, cider, cooking ingredients, and coffees and teas.

You could spend an entire morning poring over the fascinating book selection here, but you'd probably get distracted by the shelves stocked with everything from gossamer sweaters and artistic gift wrap to leather-bound journals. This is also a magnet for local events, from regular author readings to community discussions. Don't miss the notably good coffee in the café or the fantastic locally-made pastries like flaky mushroom Gouda croissants, which pair well with the iced lavender tea.

The ladies running Gallery B are gregarious and knowledgeable about the work showcased here, including paintings and sculptures by regional and local creatives, so walk in expecting a deluge of inspiration and conversation.

Gigi Sarsfield makes fibrous papers that include things like tufts of cattail and small bits of lichen that she finds on walks in the woods or along the sea. You can buy individual sheets or blank books. Lampshades made from the paper are also for sale. 

Set in what was once a department store, this gallery sells fine art; contemporary fabric, metal, wood, glass, and ceramic decorative items and housewares; and jewelry and accessories. Everything is handcrafted by a diverse group of established and emerging Maine artists.

An excellent source for upscale gifts, from exquisite French linens to spectacularly scented Australian candles, all chosen and creatively laid out by the cheerful owner. There's also a selection of her favorite fashions (clothing and accessories) for men and women, mostly from around the globe.

This retail space sells gift items from Brooklin-based Leaf and Anna, an Art Box vending machine that offers tiny works form local artists, fun clothing and accessories from Hannah B. Designs, and refurbished art deco home goods from La Maison Rehash.

This is where husband-and-wife artists Susan and Joshua Adams display and sell their oil paintings primarily showcasing landscapes.

This little retro record shop has a smart cross-section of genres to add to your vinyl collection. And while you're at it, check out the assemblage of nostalgic cassettes, the shelves of CDs, and the trove of posters.

This gallery sells 19th- through 21st-century Maine and New England landscapes and seascapes by nationally recognized and emerging artists who work in a variety of media. It also carries the proprietor's own photography.

Try the sea-glass hard candy and the coffee bark at this little shop offering small treats in a tiny town.

A bit out of town, this seafood market has an interesting collection of smoked and fresh local seafood, meats, and cheeses. Their signature offering is smoked mussels in honey mustard, salsa, chipotle, garlic and olive oil, and plain. They can also ship lobster anywhere in the continental United States.

This unassuming, two-story space focuses on contemporary painting and sculpture. The gallery is often used as a venue for performance art and poetry readings as well. 

This nonprofit gallery, fondly referred to as DIAA, comprises works from local artists with rotating exhibits every two weeks during the summer months.

Hovering above the harbor, this microscopic shop is loaded with local character and stocks an eclectic selection of gifts and souvenirs from Maine, from marine books to handcrafted and nautical items.

The Dry Dock offers clothing, gifts, and accessories (many made of Deer Isle granite) and is described by owner Janet Chaytor as “a creative department store.” That may be overstating the size a tad, but it's understandable given the shop's penchant for hand-carved platters, funky (and locally forged) jewelry, and tote bags hailing images of the area. You won't leave uninspired.

Craftsman Temple Blackwood creates and sells wood-turned art and decorative items at his studio, where you can also sign up for a wood-turning demonstration or workshop.

Artist Jill Hoy has summered on Deer Isle since she was 10 years old. In 1986, she opened her own gallery to exhibit her contemporary landscapes that can also be seen at the Portland Museum of Art, Harvard Business School, and the Boston Public Library. If you're visiting in the off-season, call ahead to see if you can make an appointment to visit.

This shop sells fun and functional wares—from aprons and tea towels to plush toys and puzzles—with a decidedly Maine theme. It's also a good place to stock up on Brooklin, Maine, caps, T-shirts, and mugs. There's also a branch in Blue Hill.

It's well worth a stop here to spend part of an afternoon (it's not open in the morning) browsing items made by local photographers, seamstresses, fiber artists, and potters.

Inspired by chandleries, a sort of general store often found in seaside towns, the shop was born out of the owner's hobby of fancy marlinespike (marine) ropework. The shop is filled with a variety of marine artifacts, antiques, and other interesting items like beach stone and sea-glass necklaces, rope and fiber boat fenders, and ditty bags (a canvas bag with marlinespike handles).

This elegant emporium sells clothing (for ladies and babies) that are by turns pretty and edgy; women's hats in a handful of retro styles; lustrous jewelry; hand-spun yarns; and myriad other gifts (as well as lovely papers to wrap them in).

The merchandise in this shop includes throw pillows and blankets, doormats, candles, pot holders, bath and body products, sweatshirts, T-shirts, baby onesies, hats, and bags. All of the items are sassy and equitably sourced. Take a break from shopping with a craft cocktail at The Brick Block, an adjacent bar.

Jams and jellies are made right on the property at Nervous Nellie's. There is a tearoom with homemade goodies, and also a fanciful sculpture garden with everything from knights to witches to a lobster and a flamingo. They are the works of sculptor Peter Beerits, who operates Nervous Nellie's with his wife.

The toys in this trim, tidy shop are artfully arranged in colorful displays. There's something here for everyone, regardless of their age.

An eclectic collection of Maine-produced books, puzzles, toys, clothing, and art (such as carved birds and myriad alpaca items) await within the walls of the Periwinkle. Business hours fluctuate, so always call ahead or check the Facebook page for updated hours.

This farm hosts a weekend market featuring its own meat (including succulent Meishan pork), eggs, and produce, as well as items from other local producers and makers. You can also get breakfast sandwiches.

Opened in 1982, the Turtle Gallery resides in the 1876 Centennial House and its barn. Curations focus on Maine and regional artists (though some are from elsewhere in the U.S.), and range from contemporary painting and sculpture to crafts. There's also an outdoor sculpture garden, and a percentage of sales are often donated to local organizations that support the community.