The Top Shops for a Shopping Trip to Hallowell, Maine

Many antique shops line downtown Water Street and fill all parts of Hallowell, Maine, as do food establishments and typical local shops making any shopping trip a rewarding experience. One of these antique shop is Josiah Smith’s Antiques specializing in 18th, 19th and 20th century glass and ceramics, among other things. Food shops are widely varied from Lucky Gardens for Chinese food to The Liberal Cup, an Old World English style pub serving homemade food. Two charming and essential local business shops are Hallowell Seafood and Produce, featuring farm fresh goods from jellies to baked beans to maple syrup and Maine turkeys, and Corner Music and Clock Shop selling sheet music, piano tuning and clock repair. But, besides all this, there are some one-of-a-kind shops, unique to a shopping trip in Hallowell, Maine that should not be missed.

First, for adding fun and frolic to a shopping trip – and some good muscle building – on a pleasant spring, summer or fall day, is Farmingdale Kayak and Canoe Rentals. This specialty shop is located at 27 Northern Ave, away from Water Street and to the south of Hallowell. It is, in fact, up the road a little – that being Route 201 – in Farmingdale, a little town between Hallowell and Gardiner. Not only are kayaks and canoes available for rentals, tours and trips can be arranged. In winter, snowshoes for the winter-hardy can be rented. And, pleasant news, free lessons are given with all rentals. The owner, Daniel P. Albert, is a registered Maine Guide and can be reached at 207-582-1916. Daniel is open seven days a week and requests that you kindly phone ahead. He can also be reached by e-mail at danpalb@aol.com and has a website at http://www.farmingdalekayakrentals.com . This is one shop not to miss – paddling on the Kennebec River is akin to bliss.

Another shop not located on Water Street but essential to a good shopping trip is Brahms Mount Textiles at 19 Central Street in Hallowell, Maine. Claudia Brahms and Neil J. Mount founded Brahms Mount Textiles in 1983. Claudia and Neil weave their own original designs using only natural fibers, specifically cotton and linen. A factory store is on-site right next to the mill at 19 Central Street. Shop hours are 9 AM to 5 AM, and they can be reached locally at 207-623-5277 or, otherwise, at 1-800-545-9347. Their FAX number is 207-623-8534. Brahms Mount Textiles has a web site at www.brahmsmount.com, and an e-mail address at sales@brahmsmount.com. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind shop unique to Hallowell, Maine, that must not be missed.

Artists and artisans abound in Hallowell and the next shop – gallery and studio, really – features a pottery artist and teacher, Malley Weber Houghton, owner of Hallowell Clay Works, located on Water Street at 100 Water St., Hallowell, Maine. Malley, whose website address is www.hallowellclayworks.com, creates pottery for her gallery and also teaches classes in pottery, from beginners to the advanced, in her community clay studio. Wonderful pottery can be seen and purchased when Hallowell Clay Works is part of the shopping trip. Shop hours are 10 AM to 6 PM, except Saturday till 5 PM and Sunday none at all. Malley can be reached by phone at 207-626-7687 or by e-mail at info@hallowellclayworks.com. This is a one-of-a-kind Hallowell gallery studio not to be missed.

Last in our list, but, of course, not least, is The Cushnoc Trader, located at 2 Middle Street, above Water Street, in Hallowell, Maine. This unique shop, set up in an early 19th century home, derives its name from the original Native Indian name for the Kennebec River. It was called Cushnoc, meaning head of water, because the Kennebec River’s Atlantic tidal flows reach as far as Hallowell and even further north to Augusta. The Cushnoc Trader specializes in “decorative accessories and furnishings for the country or colonial home,” including a selection of folk art and gifts, all definite musts for any shopping trip. Susan Daiute, owner of The Cushnoc Trader, opens the shop from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesdays through Fridays and Saturdays by appointment. You may reach Susan by phone at 207-622-7689 and view her website at www.cushnoctrader.com. Certainly, Susan’s colonial style home accessories and furnishings are a one-of-a-kind and not to be missed Hallowell, Maine treat.

Having come to the end of our shopping trip exploring unique shops in Hallowell, Maine, a town offering an abundance of wonderful shops, the perfect thing to do is pick your favorite eatery – like Maria Libra’s Italian Restaurant at 234 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine, featuring Home-style Italian cooking with a view of the Kennebec River – and indulge in good food, rest and reminiscences of delightful shopping trip experiences in Hallowell, Maine.