Store gazing New venues and renewed vitality are making Main Street and its environs a credible shopping destination

Never have I been so excited to not find a parking space.

Last Friday night, as I drove around and around and around downtown Bangor, I noticed something unusual. Not only had the sidewalks not been rolled up -it was 6:15, after all – but there were actually people milling about. Lots of them.

For years, people have been talking about a Main Street renaissance. This weekend, it actually felt like a reality. Though the closing of Ofelia’s certainly is a Central Street setback, the stars – or stores, as the case may be – are finally aligned.

Take, for example, the reason for my parking-space search. Friday marked the grand opening of Bella Luna, the hip new women’s boutique at 48 Main St. And “grand” really is the only way to describe this clothing store filled with unique, affordable, utterly stylish items that don’t look like everything else around here.

Owner Heather van Frankenhuyzen, a Michigan native with a degree in fashion design, moved to Bangor a year ago with her husband, Ahmed. She has long dreamed of opening her own boutique, and she has a background in retail, most recently in Seattle. With Bella Luna, her dream has come true. And so has mine – a shopping destination for women older than 14 but younger than grandma, all wrapped up in a chic little storefront that isn’t jammed with merchandise is long overdue. Van Frankenhuyzen has brought in lines from Las Vegas and Seattle, as well as her own jewelry designs, which are gorgeous.

Friday’s happenings were so exciting that I was inspired to revisit downtown, and what I found was fabulous.

There really is something for everyone. Including my dear little godson – between The Briar Patch (which is having a 20 percent off sale right now) and Too Much Fun at Maine Discovery Museum, there are plenty of special gifts to choose. Add to that the Mad Hatter, a fabulous children’s shop in the former Goodwill building (right before you cross the middle bridge into Brewer), and you’ve got a baby-spoiling trifecta. And the parents of my godson, who are Hellboy aficionados, would probably appreciate something from Top Shelf Comics, as well. Talk about one-stop shopping.

As long as I’ve lived in the area, The Grasshopper Shop has anchored the downtown retail scene, and that remains true today. Special this season are the recycled vintage wool jackets and mittens from BabaaZuzu, as well as ultrasoft bamboo loungewear for adults and onesies for babies. I’m partial to the hand-warming pottery mugs, which you have to see to understand. Trust me on this one.

If you’re a pottery lover like me, you’ll want to stop by Ageless Treasure, a tiny gift shop tucked inside Hammond Street Senior Center. There, you’ll find high-quality handcrafts made by senior citizens in the program, and the prices are very reasonable.

Metropolitan Soul, a relatively recent addition to the downtown scene, has moved to the heart of downtown (next to Bahaar Pakistani restaurant). The location may be new, but the vibe – unique, a little artsy, and supercool – remains the same. Check out the antique Asian ink rollers, which might be just the thing for the person who has everything, as well as the Baggu bags, which are reuseable shopping totes that fold into tiny squares.

It’s a little early for me to be thinking Christmas, but Epic Sports is still one of my favorite stocking-stuffer stops for the outdoorsy members of my family (and, truth be told, I like to treat myself to something every once in a while, too).

I also like to treat myself to designer jeans, which is an expensive habit. But American Retro makes it a little easier on my pocketbook with nearly new denim from Seven for All Mankind and True Religion in the relatively painless $40 range. It’s a great destination for resale addicts.

For something new, try Best Bib & Tucker, which has fabulous accessories this season. Since I’m an accessories junkie, I want the bold, flexible stainless necklaces designed by Linda Leonard of Thomaston. And for warmth, nothing beats BBT’s leather mittens lined with fleece gloves. Mmmmm. Cozy.

Speaking of cozy, sometimes I just want to cozy up with a book and a cup of tea. You can find the former at Sarah’s Books and W.J. Lippincott’s – two wonderful used-book stores that make shopping feel like a treasure hunt. If spiritual readings are more your cup of tea, check out Silo Seven Bookstore on Harlow Street.

Speaking of accessories, Minerva’s Museum Shop carries Michael Shyka’s handpainted silk scarves, lovely silver jewelry and other curiosities. And then there’s Maureen Elizabeth Handbags, where stylish gals go to design their own purses. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Rather accessorize your home? Visit Alcott’s Antiques, the Antiques Marketplace and Caf? (I’ve spent hours there) and Frenchboro Books, Art and Antiques, up a block on Columbia Street. You could pop into Country Hearts (otherwise known as Christmas ornament central) or indulge at Rebecca’s – now, the popular gift shop carries all the makings of a gourmet gift basket, including wine. Perfect for a last-minute hostess gift.

Well, scratch that. If you’re planning to shop at the last minute, you may want to reconsider, because you might have to drive around a few times before you find a parking spot – yes, I know there’s a garage. But in downtown Bangor, that’s a good thing.

For a full list of downtown Bangor’s shopping destinations – with contact information – visit www.downtownbangor.com.

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For regular, real-time updates of ShopGirl’s favorite new shops, artisan fairs, special sales and products, visit the ShopBlog. This Web-only feature includes content that isn’t in the regular newspaper column. Either click on the ShopBlog icon at the bottom of the Bangor Daily News home page, www.bangordailynews.com, or directly visit http://communityv1.bangordailynews.com/blog/4.