Calling all Maine Girls!

[Cottage Collections]

Hello Maine Girls! Kathy Ann.. you're from Maine aren't you?
I'm heading to Maine in June and need some help! I rented a gorgeous cottage in Boothe Bay and am planning to make this a working vacation. We're driving up from Boston so I'm not exactly sure at what point I enter Maine but I'd like to do some serious antiquing. Any suggestions for areas rich in antique shops? Coastal would be my preference but if it's not too far off the beaten path we'll roll up our pants and venture in! We have a few days prior to and after our week in Boothe Bay and can be pretty flexible.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions you can give. My hubby has never been to Maine and I can't wait to show him how gorgeous it is so he won't even notice I'm working while on vacation!

[Kathy Ann]

You'll be coming in at Kittery, which is better known for factory outlets like Ann Taylor and Polo than for antiques, but they are there. If you stick to U.S. Route One, you'll do pretty well. There should be blue signs all along your route pointing you to the different shops. My favorite stop is Nonesuch House in Wiscasset, but that's because I happen to enjoy pawing through cobwebs to find treasures and I'm only moderately allergic to dust. There are plenty of boutique-style shops too. If you hit it just right, you may even find an auction or estate sale - just pick up local newspapers along the way and check the classifieds. For a really complete Maine experience I recommend a day or two in Baxter State Park. The ocean and the deep woods are really two different worlds!

[Cottage Collections]

Would that involve camping? :eek: I'm allergic to camping!

Thanks for the info Kathy.. I will write Maine's chamber of commerce and see what I can find out. Jim loves the deep woods... me.. not so much. I'm bug phobic. Give me the ocean any ole day.

[Kathy Ann]

There are some very nice places to stay in the woods and you don't have to feel like you're roughing it. Warning - some of the inns have REALLY good food! Bugs are only bad in the spring - blackflies! They're tiny and drive you crazy!

bear in mind, a lot of small stores don't belong to Chamber because it's expensive and can be snobby, and the Chamber will only point you to members. But the yellow pages along the way should have all the shops listed.

[Cottage Collections]

There are some very nice places to stay in the woods and you don't have to feel like you're roughing it. Warning - some of the inns have REALLY good food! Bugs are only bad in the spring - blackflies! They're tiny and drive you crazy!



OH NO... we're coming in Mid June. Will we still have a problem with the black flies??

[Kathy Ann]

No, and never on the coast. The breezes and the seagulls keep all the bugs away. You'll be safe!

[Cottage Collections]

No, and never on the coast. The breezes and the seagulls keep all the bugs away. You'll be safe!

Thanks Kathy Ann! Bugs and I just don't mix at all! Is it still pretty cool in early June ? Or will it be warm enough to soak up the sun?

[Kathy Ann]

Early June should be plenty warm enough to soak up the sun. It won't be 80 degrees like in Florida, but part of our charm is that the Maine coast is brisk and fresh! I think you will love it. There is just a simplicity of life here that makes a cottage fan feel right at home.

[Barberry Field]

Joyce! You are coming to Maine??? How exciting! If you have time, I would love to drive up and meet you! I am about 2 hours from Kittery...which I HATE! It is so commericialized, driving up the Rt 1 or 1A is so much nicer!

[avolli]

Joyce, I'm an antique dealer from Maine that just joined the forum this morning. Kathy Ann made a very good suggestion of Route 1 from Kittery north. There are a multitude of dealers along the way ranging from small "brick-a-brack" shops to very high end. The southern end of Rt. 1 is very commercialized and can be quite congested so if you're not a fan of sitting in traffic by pass this area and head to Scarborough to visit Centervale Farms. They have a huge inventory of American antiques. After that get back onto Rt. 295 and head north to Brunswick which is probably on your route to Boothbay. There you will find Cabot Mill Antiques which is an old brick mill that has been converted into a multi-dealer shop. There are probably over 100 dealers represented there with both large and small items.

If Scandinavian antique furniture interestes you please give me a call and I'd be happy to set up an appointment with you. You can see the entire inventory at www.avolli.com (http://www.avolli.com/) and if there is something that interestes you, you can see it in person at my warehouse in Lewiston. Lewiston isn't quite on your route but wouldn't be too far out of your way.

Have funn planning your trip and if I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Tricia

Visit Avolli-Scandinavian Antique Furniture (http://www.avolli.com/)

[Kathy Ann]

Maybe we could all do lunch! We're neighbors Tricia - I'm in Auburn. Do you have regular open hours, or just by appointment?

[Barberry Field]

Kathy, are you from Auburn Mass??? That is not far from me at all! I am right above Providence!

[Kathy Ann]

Auburn, Maine Deb!

[avolli]

Kathy Ann, It would be fun to meet for lunch or coffee. The warehouse that I use is in Lewiston and I drive through Auburn every time I go. I'm there usually once a week because it is open by appointment only. I don't live in Lewiston but will let you know when I'll be there again and maybe we can connect.