Belfast’s bounties explored

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When it comes to shopping, I have a wandering eye.

Lately, I’ve been traveling far and wide to find the most interesting destinations for you, the credit card-carrying members of my shopping club.

This month, I headed southeast to Belfast. Though this little waterfront city is one of my favorite places to stop for lunch, I rarely have enough time to peruse the clothing stores, booksellers and specialty shops that line Main Street. So last Monday, I hit the road and devoted an entire day to stopping and shopping in Belfast.

I arrived around lunchtime, and since it’s best not to shop on an empty stomach, I popped into Darby’s for a Buddha Bowl, which brought back fond memories of San Francisco’s ubiquitous Japanese noodle stands. I also like to lunch at Chase’s Daily, which has a great art gallery, bakery and farmers market, where the vegetables look like something out of a baroque still life. But if I’m in the mood for a sandwich, I’ll stop at Bell the Cat for a panini.

After eating the Buddha Bowl, I had a Buddha belly, but that didn’t deter me from trying on floral skirts and flowing dresses at Coyote Moon. I love this shop, not only for the half-price rack, but for the feeling I get when I go there. The store is all about celebrating inner and outer beauty, and inspirational quotes are stuck to the walls randomly, such as, “There is a deep well of nourishment within you – Drink!” If that doesn’t cheer you up, the “skinny” mirrors in the dressing rooms will.

At Coyote Moon, I liked the beaded change purses, the pretty socks, the April Cornell dresses and the lovely semiprecious jewelry, but I ended up buying a tulip skirt by Salaam off the half-price rack for $30.50. Fabulous.

Next, I walked uphill to The Clown, a wine, art and antique shop that celebrates all things tasteful and Italian. There, I drooled over the gourmet goodies, the Tuscan pottery, the metal tableware by Bates graduate and New York artist Michael Aram, and the paintings by University of Maine student Brian Estes also caught my eye. And then I was tempted by the impeccable selection of wines, some from the owners’ vineyard in Tuscany.

If that didn’t whet my appetite, the French honey at The Good Table sure did. But the samples of honey and jam are only a small part of the store’s allure. Here, you can find high-end cookware and every kitchen gadget imaginable, from a mandoline (not the musical instrument) to a ceramic pie funnel “for crispier pie crusts,” and shelves stacked with cookbooks for inspiration. What isn’t in stock can be special-ordered, as well.

I wanted to stop in The Chocolate Drop for chocolate and penny candy, but it was closed, and I was stuffed, anyway. That’s OK, though, because it left me more time to spend in Garden Cottage, which is my new favorite garden shop. I was intrigued by the ceramic mushrooms (cute in container gardens), the flowerpots, urns, watering cans and vases, but, being the handbag fiend that I am, I couldn’t stay away from the translucent pressed-flower purses. So cute. I figured ShopGuy would have my head if I brought home another bag, though, so I skipped that and bought a cherry-print apron instead. Very Donna Reed.

Appropriately enough, Belfast has its own Irish (and Scottish) shop, Shamrock, Thistle & Rose. You can stock up on Claddagh rings and canned haggis here, but there are plenty of unusual options, as well, including rare Thistleware from Scotland, handblown Jerpoint glass, Nicholas Mosse sponge pottery, and woven scarves and sweaters. I liked the slates that read “Failte,” or “welcome” in Gaelic, and the delicate silver jewelry.

Next, I moseyed across the street to Travellers Leather, where I got to see Robin Lawlor working on a pair of custom-made boots. He also makes belts and keychains, but the hand-stitched boots, which run about $1500 a pair, are his bread and butter. If your wallet isn’t quite that full, he sells Dansko clogs, too.

In the midst of a downpour, I walked up to The Green Store. I immediately was drawn to a brilliant blue blanket made of recycled wool by Crispina, a display of linoleum flooring, and the hemp yoga gear by Vinyasa. You can get everything you need for good, clean, green living here, including solar-power kits, compost bins, environmentally safe cleaning liquids and organic cotton undies, not to mention a selection of fair-trade imports.

I meandered across the street and down a set of stairs to Heavenly Socks Yarns, a sweet, cozy shop brimming with gorgeous wools – not just sock yarn. This is the place for locally made fibers such as Starcroft from Monroe and Coastal Cashmere from Winterport, as well as Peace Fleece and Bartlett yarns. But my stash is overflowing, so I had to take a rain check. Literally.

In the drizzle, I ducked around the corner to Out on a Whimsey, a gift shop full of cute ideas, such as the black and pink monogrammed coffee mugs (a la Laverne & Shirley) and the faboo “book bags,” which are purses with cardboard sides that look like the covers of pulp fiction novels. If you like candles, you can’t beat the 60-cent votives here, either.

Later, I charged up Main Street to The Eclectic Closet, part resale shop, part new boutique. Owner Felicia Thomas carries imports from India, high-quality secondhand and vintage, and if you want something in particular, she’ll seek it out for you. I didn’t have any luck, but the inventory changes every day, so I’ll be back.

If I weren’t still full, I would’ve stopped at the Gothic Caf? and Coffeehouse for a cup of coffee and a decadent sweet. Instead, I made a brief stop at Fertile Mind Bookshop before I got in the car and drove to Renys, a perennial favorite. Usually I stock up here, but I had already blown my budget. If I hadn’t, I would’ve bought a J.Jill ruffle-trim shirt and some garden seeds, which were half-off. Check out the daisy-print rubber garden clogs for $14.99 (ShopGuy bought me a pair last week, and I put them on as soon as I get home every day).

By this point, I was tired, but I needed to make one final stop: Monroe Salt Works. I could’ve bought everything here – from the oilcloth aprons to the kitschy lunchboxes to the dog-treat crock. I was especially taken with the Coke-can lobster (you’ll have to see it to understand), and the tiny glass ring boxes. Next time, this will be my first stop.

Though I was exhausted and broke, I had that contented feeling I tend to get after a good day of shopping and eating. On the ride home I started planning next month’s shopping trip, but you’ll have to stay tuned for that one.

ShopNotes

. Shop news is good news! Check out my weekly appearance on WLBZ-2 news at 5 p.m. Fridays. I’ll give you a preview of the weekend’s column and answer your shopping questions on air.

. ShopGirl will be on vacation next week. Her column will resume on Saturday, June 10.

Destination: Belfast

Bell The Cat at Mr. Paperback:

Chase’s Daily: 96 Main St., 338-0555

The Chocolate Drop: 60 Main St., 338-0566

The Clown: 74 Main St., 338-4344, www.the-clown.com

Coyote Moon: 54 Main St., 338-5659

Darby’s: 5 High St., 338-2339

The Eclectic Closet: 96 Main St., 338-0451

Fertile Mind Bookshop: 105 Main St., 338-2498

Garden Cottage: 52 Main St., 338-0165

The Good Table: 68 Main St., 338-4880

Gothic Caf? and Coffeehouse: 105 Main St. 338-4933

The Green Store: 71 Main St., 338-4045

Heavenly Socks Yarns: 82 Main St., 338-8388

Monroe Salt Works: Belmont Avenue (Renys Plaza), 338-3460, www.monroesaltworks.com

Out on a Whimsey: 133 High St., 338-3911

Renys: Belmont Avenue (Renys Plaza), 338-4588, www.renys.com

Shamrock, Thistle & Rose: 48 Main St., 338-1864, www.shamrockthistlerose.com

Travellers Leather: 69 Main St., 338-9783, www.travellersleather.com