Shopping locally has appeal far and wide

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I’ve always thought shopping is a lot like real estate: It’s all about location, location, location.

It appears that you, dear readers, would agree.

A few weeks back, I asked you to share your favorite locally owned boutiques, and you responded in grand fashion. And with great anecdotes.

The responses were enthusiastic and touching. Most important, they underscored the idea that when you shop locally, it’s an experience, rather than a transaction.

For example, Sharon Jackiw of Milford shared a seasonal anecdote about The Briar Patch in Bangor: “It was the Lenten season, and the beginning of the business day. The door opened wide to admit one of the monks from the adjoining Friars’ Bakehouse, carrying a tray of hot cross buns, which he claimed to have burned a bit on the bottom. He offered us each one (delicious! and with no taste of char!) and wished us a good day. After the door closed behind him, owner Kathy Anderson noted that it was an almost daily occurrence – during the season, of course.”

Angela Boucher of Mapleton drives all the way to Bangor to buy her children’s clothing at the Mad Hatter boutique.

And that’s just the beginning. There were even a few stores that I hadn’t heard of. Cinnamon Stick in Milbridge? Candlewick Cottage in Augusta? Who knew? Looks like I need to go out and do a little “research.”

Wal-Mart, Goodwill and Kohl’s all received high marks, but those shops don’t exactly fit the requirement of being locally owned.

And like I said, this column is all about location, location, location.

Here are reader favorites by city or town.

AUGUSTA

. Candlewick Cottage, 480 Western Ave., 623-6282

Paulette Hinson of Stockton Springs says, “The girls there are awesome!”

BANGOR

. Briar Patch: Jim Palmer of Stetson writes, “Wonderfully calm atmosphere and a great Thomas train exhibit to play with.”

. BookMarc’s, 78 Harlow St., 942-3206, www.bookmarcs.com

Kathy Walker of Hampden writes, “Everyone there calls me by my first name whenever I go in, which is not as often now that I’ve retired and patronize the library more than buying books. But I was there today and found everything I needed to complete my shopping list! Buy local.”

. Epic Sports, 6 Central St., 941-5670

Jen Calder writes, “Epic Sports is my favorite! Brad is a genuinely nice guy with a great store and his staff really knows their stuff. Epic Sports has prices that are comparable to the big chains … but the staff at Epic can tell which shoes, jacket, etc. work in different conditions because they have tried the merchandise out themselves.”

. The Mad Hatter children’s fashions, 63 Union St., Bangor, 947-2072, www.madhatterfashions.com

Angela Boucher of Mapleton writes, “I used to work at the Presque Isle store. Now I travel to Bangor for my children’s clothing.”

. Natural Living Center, 209 Longview Drive, 990-2646, www.naturallivingcenter.net

Jamie Gordon of Old Town spent a recent weekend shopping for bulk spices with her friends: “One friend is mixing up some special blends to put in gift baskets for Christmas. After a little coaching on how to find the products, she picked them out and the second friend and I measured, weighed and labeled them. We had a ball. … I have no doubt that the $10 or so she spent at NLC would have been at least $30 to $50 in the spice aisle at the local grocery store.”

. World Over Imports, 312 Hogan Road, 942-3883, www.worldoverimports.com

OK, it’s a chain, but it’s a Maine chain. Amy Stewart writes, “I can always find unique ornaments, stocking stuffers, and glassware at a terrific price. The staff is friendly and helpful as well!”

BARING

. Knock on Wood, Route 1, 454-7136

Ann Marie McClure of Lubec writes, “Yes, this is the place that always brings a smile to my face!”

BAR HARBOR

. Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, 66 Main St., 288-3281, www.benandbills.com

Edith DuBois of Bar Harbor writes, “Great chocolate, fruit slices and ice cream, all half-off.”

BELFAST

. Beyond the Sea, 9 Beaver St., 338-2100

One reader writes, “I often find shopping boring because every store seems to have the same merchandise. At Beyond the Sea this is not the case. The selection seems to be carefully chosen to provide high quality, affordable gifts that are not found elsewhere. The owner is very friendly and outgoing and provides background information on each item.”

. Brambles, 70 Main St., 338-3448

. The Fertile Mind Book Shop, 105 Main St., 338-2498, www.fertilemindbooks.com

. First Light Gallery, 92 Main St., 338-3626

. Hobbledehoy Toys, 103 Main St., 338-0308

. Maine Differents, 182 Searsport Ave. (Route 1), 338-0480

At her “funky junk art” shop, owner Judy Judkins takes things people are discarding and makes them over into fun and unusual one-of-a-kind gifts, such as the wood stove she turned into an ottoman.

. Shamrock, Thistle and Rose, 39 Main St., 338-1864, www.shamrockthistlerose.com

. Yo Mamma’s Home, 96 Main St. 338-4884, www.yomammashome.com

BLUE HILL FALLS

. Sleigh Bell Shop, Route 175,

Betty Pickering of Blue Hill writes, “This small store has Christmas items, handmade items, one of a kind gifts and much more. It’s also a great place to buy lobsters live or cooked.”

BUCKSPORT

. Rosen’s, 72 Main St., 469-3306, www.rosensstore.com

Jean Devereux of Penobscot doesn’t usually like to shop, but she loves to visit Rosen’s. “They keep track of what I’ve purchased already and they are all so very kind,” she writes.

. Bookstacks, 71 Main St., 469-8992, www.bookstacksmaine.com

CAMDEN

. Rockport Blueprint, 24 Main St., 236-2696

Jenn Chiarell writes, “It’s a great little art supply and scrapbookers dream, but it has an old ‘hardware’ store feel to it. I love making my way to the back room, where you can find wonderful handmade papers and discount stuff.”

CARMEL

. Chickletts, Route 2

This antiques and collectibles shop offers everything from fine antique glass to crafts made locally, or at the very least, in the United States.

COLUMBIA

. Elmer’s Gardens-Elmer’s Discount, 366 U.S. Highway 1, 483-6513

Diane Farren of Addison writes, “My husband says, ‘If you can’t find it at Elmer’s, you don’t need it.'”

DEXTER

. Country Charm, 26 Main St., 924-3321, www.countrycharmgiftshop.net

EASTPORT

. Captain’s Cargo, 54 Water St., 853-2662

. Raye’s Mustard, 83 Washington St., 853-4451, www.rayesmustard.com

. S.L. Wadsworth, 42-44 Water St., 853-4343, www.slwadsworth.com

Wendy Smith of Robbinston writes that all of these shops give extra discounts to customers wearing pajamas and robes to shop on Black Friday, during Eastport’s pajama party. “This is a fun and interesting morning watching all the different pajamas parade through the stores and great bargains, too.”

ELLSWORTH

. The Grasshopper Shop, 124 Main St., 667-5816, www.grasshoppershop.com

“So much cool stuff,” according to Gail Cleveland of Trenton

. J&B Atlantic, 142 Main Street, 888-667-2082, www.jbatlantic.com

. Rooster Brother, 29 Main St., 667-8675, www.roosterbrother.com

Susan Henkel of Stockton Springs calls this “the Williams-Sonoma of Maine.”

. Striking Gold Jewelers, 67 Pine St., 667-5855, www.strikinggoldjewelers.com

Deborah Sitterly of Ellsworth writes, “They not only design and make the jewelry they sell, but they will also work with you to design any piece of jewelry you want, often times recommending reworking the gold or silver from unwanted pieces you might have. … They are always so friendly and helpful, and it is obvious they enjoy what they do.”

HANCOCK

. Hilts Landscaping and Liz’s Gift Shop, 1532 U.S. Route 1, 422-3877

“It is soooo totally cool and hip,” writes Beverly Johnston of Hancock. “It is the place to find flowers [of course] year round and unusual, distinctive and fabulous gifts for everyone who is special to you … especially yourself. … The purses are gorgeous. I can hardly stand it. The glassware, linens, baby gifts [you would not believe] and the jewelry. I could go on and on. Actually, I’m going there, NOW.”

ISLAND FALLS

. The Briar Patch, 20 Houlton Road, 463-2661, www.briarpatchflowersandgifts.com

Though it shares a name with the Bangor store, this shop deals in gifts and flowers.

. Country Creations, 56 Harding St., 463-2119

“This is one of the nicest gift shops I have visited in a while,” writes Judy Knowlton of Millinocket. “As soon as you enter the shop you are greeted with a friendly ‘hello’ and a pleasing scent of potpourri.”

. Emerson Store, no address available

Though this consignment shop for local crafters is open only in the summer, Anne Odgers of Island Falls likes it.

MILBRIDGE

. Cinnamon Stick, 87 Main St., 546-4410

Diane Mabey buys almost all of her Christmas gifts here and praises the “wonderful selection, real quality and prices so reasonable.”

ORONO

. Judy’s Scrappin’ and Stampin’, 17 Mill St., 889-8000

Many readers wrote in to praise this shop. The appeal? “great personal service and great stock – lots of gifts,” according to Barb Smith of Orono.

. The Pretty Woman, 24 Main St., 866-0275

Carolyn Gardner of Allagash says, “Check it out.”

. University of Maine Bookstore, Memorial Union, campus, 581-1700

Stephanie Peavey of Orono says this is the best place to shop for folks from away. “It doesn’t matter if they attended UMaine; my gifts from the bookstore have always been a hit.”

PRESQUE ISLE

. Kountry Living, 84 Easton Road, 764-1277

Linda McCrossin of Presque Isle loves this store’s “unique items, fabulous smells” and calls it “a wonderful, special place to shop.”

SEARSPORT

. Gloriosity, 330 East Main St., 548-6582

This shop specializes in vintage kitchenware, including serving pieces, but it also offers hand-knit sweaters, recipe and garden books and antique Christmas ornaments.

SOUTHWEST HARBOR

. Under the Dogwood Tree, 326 Main St., 244-3089

Kathleen Bruen Slack, a teacher at Mount Desert Island High School, praises the “great selection of clothes, housewares, cards, fabric, books, hand crafted items, jewelry and fun things. Great service, good prices even without the SALES. A place where I can always find ‘just the thing.'”

UNION

. Big Blue Country Store, Route 17

“I have just discovered the most fabulous gift shop,” writes Roberta Best of Rockland. “I have driven past it hundreds of times and never noticed the sign. The owners have turned their barn into a shop. When one walks through the door he-she is greeted by a very impressive architectural experience. The products are all compatible with the architecture. No glitz or glitter just fine quality and reasonable prices.”

WINTER HARBOR

. Prospect Harbor Soap Co., Main Street, 963-7598, www.prospectharborsoapco.com

Jane Vdoviak of Gouldsboro writes, “This shop is owned by Alexis Souders, who, by the way, is also the postmistress at the Gouldsboro Post Office. Besides her great handmade soaps and lotions there are all kinds of little gift items, perfect for stocking stuffers. Many of them are handcrafted, including some adorable Christmas ornaments made from lobster claws.”