2 Best Places to Shop in Down East Coast, Maine

Taking in the appetizing scents in this shop is almost enough, but sinking your teeth into one of Monica's truffles, bonbons, crèmes, or caramels is pure heaven. Try a needham, a traditional Maine candy with a sugar, coconut, and potato filling, or a chocolate-shape moose or lobster. Conveniently on Route 189 at the turn for West Quoddy Head Light, it's owned by a Peruvian native (yes, Monica) and also carries clothing and accessories from her homeland. Indeed, some chocolates have a Peruvian filling.

Four generations of the Raye family have made stone-ground mustard in Eastport since 1900, originally for sardines that were canned here. Using only natural ingredients, this premier Maine-made product—touted by Oprah and cooking maven Rachael Ray—is sold throughout the state and beyond. The downtown store carries all of the award-winning brand's nearly 40 varieties, from top-selling traditional mustards like Old World Gourmet, a Dijon, to unique choices like Moose-a-maquoddy Molasses. Open year-round, the store has themed mustard gift packs as well as kitchen items, specialty foods from other Maine producers, and a nice selection of books about the state. Using vintage machinery as well as stones for grinding, the "working museum" mill has been open for tours in the past and will be again after a renovation and expansion; check the website for updates.