1. Abcd Books
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-3903 or (888) 236-39
Address: 23 Bayview St.
Description: The go-to place for book collectors in Camden, this classic shop has an extensive collection of used and rare books—good Maine section, too—and is a pleasure to browse. You can spend a day here contentedly. Open year-round.
2. Josephine
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-2123
Address: 39 Mechanic St.
Description: Not every store in Maine has personal shoppers—you’d be hard-pressed to find them anywhere—but this boutique in the old Knox Mill is not every other store. The staff here is available to help you make stylish choices from the simply chic women’s wear—lines like Theory, Michael Stars, Vince, Joes, and Citizens of Humanity—or from the accessories and unique furnishings. Inspired by the empress of France, the shop is filled with everything from earrings to linens and it promises “to save seasoned shoppers a trip to Boston or New York.” It’s certainly a start, and should you find yourself overwhelmed by all the “elements of style,” you can arrange for help.
3. Once A Tree
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-3995 or (800) 236-04
Address: 46 Bayview St.
Description: If it’s made of wood, you’ll find it here, as this shop’s slogan goes, “from grandfather clocks to alphabet blocks.” Bowls and canes and kitchen utensils and cutting boards and fanciful fish—it’s all in this attractive shop on the waterfront. Open year-round.
4. Sage Market
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 230-0800
Address: 40 Washington St.
Description: You just knew this great gourmet market, squeezed into an old storefront on Main Street in Rockland, was going to get too big for its britches, and now it has closed its Rockland location and consolidated itself into a bigger space in downtown Camden. Everyone loves its artisan breads and cheeses, its selection of spices, and its handcrafted chocolates. From pan de higo almendrado fig and almond cake to Edmond Fallot comichons, you can find it here. It’s a foodie’s fantasy.
5. Unique One
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-8717 or (888) 691-83
Address: 2 Bayview St.
Description: Original sweaters handmade by native knitters are the appeal of this longtime Bayview Street favorite. Yarns come from Maine sheep farms (and there’s a selection here of yarn as well), and the sweaters are beautiful and one-of-a-kind. They can run you as much as $110, but they’ll wear for ages—and look good doing so. Some cutesy moose designs, yes, but a lot of classics like the snowflake pullover. If you see something you like but they’re out of your size, you can order one and have it shipped. They also carry patterns, needles, books, and other knitting-related items.
6. Camden Civic Theatre
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-2281
Address: Main St.
Description: One of the state’s best community drama programs, Camden Civic Theatre has been delighting area residents since the early 1970s. One of the nicest things about its productions is the venue—the restored Camden Opera House, on the second floor downtown, is a beauty. Tickets are $12 and $16.
7. Camden Opera House
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-7963
Address: Main St.
Description: A surprising number of good shows pop up in this beautiful, second-floor theater in downtown Camden. Singer-songwriter Iris Dement has performed here a couple of times, and even fairly big bands like Wilco have played this stage. Worth checking the Web site if you’re in town.
8. Bayview Gallery
City: Camden, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 236-4534
Address: 33 Bayview St.
Description: If you buy a contemporary land- or seascape painting here, you can get it framed on the premises. Representing three dozen painters from Maine and away, the gallery also has made a name for itself as a custom framer. It has another location in Brunswick now (58 Maine Street).