24 Best Places to Shop 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

This petite but well-stocked independent bookstore offers new and notable fiction and nonfiction, used books, and a kids’ corner with books, games, and puzzles. A summer series features author talks and “wine and sign” events.

One of several independent bookstores in Rockland, this shop exudes quiet charm. Find a well-curated selection of fiction and nonfiction, with works from plenty of Maine authors, as well as notebooks, cards, and other thoughtfully chosen housewares and gifts.

You're welcome to browse for a while in this airy, well organized little bookshop. But don't expect to do it alone. Leo, the big orange shop cat, will trot up to greet you, chat happily, purr when he's patted, and gladly curl up with you on a sofa. You can also sip some "pretty good coffee" as you visit. There's a selection of more than 5,000 books, a few used books, magazines, and lovely greeting cards. The shop also sells wines and hosts monthly tastings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.