Have you ever been antiquing in Down East Maine? Discover unique gifts from Maine antiquing Down East. Explore must-see antique stores with me and find fantastic treasures in this coastal region of New England.
Where is Down East Maine?
Down East Maine refers to the easternmost coastal region of the state, stretching from Penobscot Bay to the Canadian border. This scenic and picturesque area is known for its rugged coastline, charming fishing villages, and stunning natural landscapes. The phrase apparently derives from sailing terminology: sailors from western ports sailed downwind toward the east to reach the area.
Best Gifts From Maine
Maine, known as the “Pine Tree State,” offers a variety of unique and locally made gifts that capture the essence of the state. Here are some gift ideas from Maine:
When choosing gifts from Maine, it’s always a good idea to support local businesses and artisans. Look for products that have been made or sourced in Maine to ensure an authentic and meaningful gift that captures the spirit of the state.
recommended reading
You may also enjoy this Vintage Shopping in Maine: A Local’s Guide to Thrift & Antique Finds post.
Take a jaunt with me to Down East, Maine, to visit with some friends and go antiquing for a few gifts from Maine.
A Day’s Jaunt to Down East, Maine
A Visit to Molly in Maine’s Home
Our first stop in Down East, Maine, was to visit my friend Molly in Maine’s gorgeous coastal cottage. We gathered alongside a few Instagram decor friends for lunch and chatted on Molly’s front porch with her stunning ocean views.
We watched a family of ducks and a Bald Eagle who was on the hunt over the Maine seas.
You may also enjoy following Juliette from Cozy in Maine and Marianna from Apple Tree Lane Studio over on Instagram who joined us. Juliette and Marianna are identical twins who live on Long Island, an island off the coast of Portland, Maine, in their family’s darling summer cottage.
Next, I headed south with stops in Brunswick and Freeport, Maine, to do some antiquing and hopefully find a few wonderful gifts from Maine.
Unique Gifts From Maine
L.L. Bean Gifts from Maine
Before the antique stores open early in the morning, I start with a visit to the famous L.L. Bean Inc. store in downtown Freeport, Maine. It is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. L.L. Bean Inc. is not only a Maine-based store but also a destination. It is a wonderful place to find outdoor gear and apparel, which make ideal gifts from Maine.
You may also enjoy the Vintage Shopping, A Church Collection Basket, and Wild Oats post, where I visit Down East, Maine, once again for even more antiquing.
Cozy Gifts from Maine
There, I picked up the coziest classic flannel pajamas, which will be perfect for our snowy Vermont winters. These L.L. Bean pajamas are also a much-welcomed gift from Maine.
Have you seen Sarah Fitz new line of bedding, The Coziest Ski Lodge Bedding? Sarah designs iconic Maine drawings with lobsters, hydrangeas, L.L. Bean boots, sleds, and so much more. From bedding to notepads, Sara’s designs make fabulous gifts from Maine. Available online and through L.L. Bean Inc.
As I worked my way back to the “Seacoast,” a term coined for the coast of southern Maine and New Hampshire, I stopped off at four antique shops, where I found the most fantastic finds.
So let’s go antiquing!
3 Best Antique Stores for Gifts From Maine
I stopped at three of the most popular antique stores in Freeport, Maine, first.
You may also find inspiration in the post Quilt Jackets: The Trendy Vintage Fashion.
4. Cabot Mill Antiques in Brunswick, Maine
But my favorite of them all was Cabot Mill Antiques; watch the video for a walk around.
Just down the road from Bowdoin College is a gorgeous old brick mill filled with the most inspiring antiques I’ve seen in quite some time.
You may also enjoy this Maine Coastal Towns, Antiques, & Boondocking Road Trip post.
Antique Tennis Umpire Chair
My favorite find of the day was this antique tennis umpire chair. I’ve never ever seen one before, and I feel so lucky to have discovered it.
This old mahogany tennis umpire chair was ushered into our home as if it had always been there. My father would have loved this tennis collectible so much!! He was a huge tennis buff, playing his entire life until the age of 86. See his tennis racquet collection in the 2 Cottage Vintage Guest Bedroom Ideas To Inspire post. This was my gift from Maine to myself.
This was one of the best antique halls I’ve had this summer, friends!
Oh, and of course, I had to stop by Trader Joe’s in Portland, Maine, to pick up some blue hydrangeas.
You may also enjoy the 21 Vintage Finds: 4 Days Thrifting in Coastal Maine post.
What Maine Gifts Can You Find Antiquing Down East?
Wrought Iron Whale
Well, first, how about an antique wrought iron whale weathervane?
And I just love how it sits so noblely on our dining room table.
You won’t want to miss our summer home tour in the post, Coastal Grandmother Summer Decor.
An old lighthouse painting with an antique easel.
I think this is going to find its way into every room of our home here in Coastal Maine.
You may also enjoy Coastal Curtains for Living Room: A Nautical Vintage Story, another amazing gift from Maine to myself that I found at an antique shop with a wonderful backstory.
You may also enjoy this A Classic VW: Embracing the Vintage Vibe post.
Sailboat Pully
A vintage sailboat pully in light blue.
This little nautical beauty will rest on our living room coffee table. And maybe I’ll hang it from one of the open beams next. We shall see…
Transferware
A handsome transferware bowl that I found for less than $40.
I couldn’t wait to fill it up with some of the Trader Joe’s flowers I found.
Framed Sailboat Print
See that sailboat print in the background?
Yup, I found that antiquing Down East, too, for just $38!
I also found another one, which you may see more of in the 38 Antique Flower Arrangements & One Vintage Student Plant Press post.
You may also enjoy the Beachcombing, Blue Mussels, and an Antique Bowl post.
I’ve never seen a transferware pot like this before. It looks like a grub pot, and I love its size. It’s perfect for bouquets of flowers or summer weeds.
The marking on the bottom of the transferware is here. Do you have any ideas about what this may have been used for?
A few more gems caught my eye, but for whatever reason, I decided to leave them behind.
So, should you ever find yourself in Down East Maine, I highly recommend an antiquing trip to discover unique Maine gifts.
You never know the treasures you may find on this beautiful rocky coast of ours.
Your Guide to Embracing Eclectic Style, Vintage Finds, and Thrifted Home Inspiration~
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I would love to spend one week going to all the wonderful shops you’ve shared with us. So fun that you got to spend some quality time with Molly!
You found all the antique places I’ve been visiting for years in Mid-Coast Maine!! The best of the best.
Oh my goodness aren’t they so great😂
Some wonderful finds! I particularly like the tennis umpire’s chair and the gorgeous Buffalo Pottery cache pot, which I believe is used as an “over pot” in which to place a live plant in a less attractive container. I enjoyed the explanation of the term “Down East.”
Thank you so much. That umpire chair was such a treasure to find. And I’m so glad to know about the pot. Thank you kindly💙💙💙
You bring so much enjoyment with your first class newsletter and blog posts. A very hearty Thank You! Lana in KY.
Oh my gosh what a nice thing to say thank you🫶🏻