1. Compass Rose Bookstore And Cafe
City: Castine, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 326-9366
Address: 3 Main St.
Description: At this longtime favorite they take bookselling seriously. You can get great recommendations, peruse well-selected shelves (especially the Maine and maritime titles), linger over a cup of tea and a cookie at the cafe, and order whatever you can’t find. You’ll quickly see why the place has a loyal following.
2. Leila Day Antiques
City: Castine, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 326-8786
Address: 53 Main St.
Description: Leila Day has been at it here since 1978, and she has a nice selection of antique furniture, both formal and country. You’ll find nautical accessories, folk art, and fine art as well, all housed in the pretty old Parson Mason House on Main. Open daily in summer, by appointment in the off-season.
3. M & E Gummel Chairworks
City: Castine, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 326-8122
Address: 600 The Shore Rd.
Description: How do you make a historically accurate chair? You use historically accurate tools. That’s one of the secrets at this fine furniture maker in Castine, a place that knows a thing or two about history. Known for their Windsor chairs, the father-and-son team here turns out fanbacks, spindle backs, bow backs, and continuous-arm chairs as well as dining tables and wooden bowls, and they do it all by hand, at benches, using hand planes, spokeshaves, and drawknives. The results are exquisite, colonially correct furnishings that would look appropriate in any old house. Prices range from about $550 to $2,000. The shop is in a neat old barn. Call for hours.