IN THE FIELD: Local Shopping
When we are on vacation, we like to take some time out and do a bit of shopping for a keepsake to remind us of our visit. Rather than go to the gargantuan malls which are pretty much the same everywhere, we like to visit places where the locals shop.
And that could be an old fashioned hardware store, an artisan’s gift shop, or even the local farmers market. Interesting items made by the folks that live in the area are what attract us. We have come home with pottery, baskets, hand-made toys, foodstuffs, artwork, and countless other objects.
One morning while on vacation in Maine, we were out photographing various harbors way down east. The area is called down east because when you travel up the coast it’s almost due east, even though when viewing a map it appears to be a northerly direction.
Fishing communities dot the coast and are around every bend in the road, so finding something appealing to photograph is not difficult. One of our stops was Bucks Harbor Maine. It is a small fishing and lobstering village with a fish processing plant a few yards from the main dock. The aroma was distinctive. It wasn’t bad, let’s just say it was memorable. We got some shots of the boats in the harbor, old relics pulled up on shore that had seen their days out at sea, the iconic seagull standing on an old piling, and even the local dog who greeted us on one of the docks.
Leaving town in the opposite direction from which we arrived, we came across the shopping district of Bucks Harbor. Unfortunately, the place wouldn’t be open for business for another few hours and we had other harbors to visit. We often wonder what shopping opportunities we missed there.
Shopping is good! Shopping is your friend! There was this shop I meant to take a picture of before we moved away: One Stop – Beer, bait & bullets. I kid you not!
Oh that is just too funny!!! Actually when ya think about it…what more do ya need?!
Unfortunate that you missed shopping at the mall. But maybe it was just as well. You might have been too exhausted to enjoy the rest of the day! Is that you waving from the car?
I know…that place looks like it goes on forever…ouch …feet hurt…Actually that is Sharon waving…it was her turn to drive that morning.
I too love shopping at the local stores when out of town, they have better keepsakes than at the big malls, and that goes without saying that I also prefer to eat at locally owned restaurants instead of the major ones.
I agree with you on both points!!! Better stuff at the local places and better food too!!!
It is good to shop and eat locally. I love to find hand-crafted items by locals.
There are many many small shops and eateries throughout Maine…many off the beaten path. One can find all sorts of of handmade things!
I loved it… I love these kind of shops… Thank you dear David, have a nice weekend, love, nia
We are still curious as to what the store may have had inside. I guess we will have to go back to see!!!
Such a cute little mall! You might have found some treasures there.
I guess we’ll just have to back and see…we’re due for a vacation anyway!!! I miss it up there!
I love these one-off shops too. Leonie has just got back from a superb kayaking trip ‘down east’ in Maine and would probably share your experiences, especially lobster aroma!
Aww man I would bet she had a fantastic time…I would love to hear about it!!! The lobster aroma isn’t bad…it was the fish processing that was distinctive or potent as some might describe it!!!
It’s great to support local businesses 🙂 We also try go into local shops instead of all these boring supermarket chains. and I also prefer some small and cosy tea/coffee shops to starbucs 🙂
We try to shop in the small places as best we can. This one was really small!!!