Join me on a visit to LL Bean’s Flagship campus in Freeport, Maine! Let’s shop, browse, and learn about their history, leading up to the current major re-(Bean)boot of their flagship store! Plus, beyond the retail stores, what LL Bean is doing in the community.
LL Bean
I have been writing and posting as “Molly in Maine” for a number of years now — 6 on social media and 3 here on the blog.
Yet, with all of Maine that I have shared with you — lighthouses, blueberries, lobster, coastal views, farmers markets, restaurants, shopping destinations, and more — it occurred to me only this week that I have never written about a true Maine icon.
I am referring to LL Bean, the second most popular destination in Maine. (After Acadia National Park.)
Sometimes I can be a bit slow on the uptake…
So, to remedy this egregious omission, I made the trip to their flagship campus in Freeport one day this past week to snap some pics and enjoy a little spring browsing and shopping.
To my initial dismay, though, I was greeted by what looked like an enormous construction site. Unbeknownst to me, the flagship store is undergoing a major re-(Bean)boot, scheduled to be completed in fall of 2026. (More on that later…)
But I quickly learned that LL Bean is fully open for business, while they build an even better experience for customers in the future.
So, let’s have a look around!
What is LL Bean?
First, though, are there any of you who aren’t familiar with LL Bean?
I doubt it!
But, if so, LL Bean is a Maine-based retail company known for its high quality outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear.
Through the years they have expanded to also carry casual clothing, accessories, and shoes, and a wide array of home goods, from furniture to tableware to bedding, rugs, and artwork.
Think classic New England style — tailored, no-nonsense, and timeless.
You are probably familiar with some of their signature pieces:
Thick chamois and plaid flannel shirts.
Rugged canvas field coats.
Cozy fleece slippers.
Blue and white “birdseye” pattern sweaters.
Heavy canvas boat-and-tote bags.
And of course, the shoe that started it all, the iconic Bean Boot.
The Boot That Launched a Company
Yes, Leon Leonwood Bean had no idea what was to come, when, in 1911, after returning from a hunting trip with wet feet, he came up with the idea for a waterproof boot that combined leather uppers and rubber bottoms.
In 1912 he began to promote his boots in mailers. Unfortunately, 90 of the first 100 pairs he sold were returned because the top separated from the bottom. Undaunted, LL sent refunds and corrected the problem, setting the precedent for the high quality and customer service LL Bean is still known for today.
In 1917, LL opened his first store on Main Street in Freeport.
In the following years, the store was gradually expanded and LL introduced new merchandise.
The Maine Duck Hunting Coat in 1924. Zipper duffels in 1934. The Boat and Tote (originally known as the Ice Carrier) in 1944.
A Ladies Department opened in 1951.
Also in 1951, LL “threw out the keys” and declared the store open 24 hours a day. It stayed open 24/7/365 until Covid shut down businesses around the country in 2020. I went to college the next state over, in New Hampshire, and I remember students going on midnight roadtrips to the LL Bean store — just because!
In the 1980’s, as LL Bean became a cultural icon and symbol of classic New England style, the flagship store was expanded and remodeled. The catalog business flourished.
A retail store opened in Japan in 1992. And in 2000, the first U.S. store outside Maine opened in McLean, Virginia.
Also in the 2000’s LL Bean created a retail “campus” in Freeport by adding separate Hunting and Fishing , Home, and Bike, Boat, and Ski Stores.
And now, more changes are afoot!
The Current Re-Boot
As I mentioned earlier, I was rather suprised to see the state of things when I arrived at the main store the other day.
The attached Hunting and Fishing Store was fully intact, but the flagship store was mostly gone, and there was fencing, large swathes of dirt, and lots of construction equipment and workers.
The last few times I have visited, the main store has been under construction. I thought this remodel was the extent of the project.
Boy, was I wrong!
The new flagship store, slated to be completed in fall of 2026, will include the following features:
- A redesigned main entrance with a peaked roofline and two-story windows
- A bigger stream tank with more viewing bubbles
- More natural light to “bring the outside in”
- More restrooms
- A large tiered fish pond
- New café space
- A kids’ play area
- A larger green space in front of the store
I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
The Shops
As I walked around the campus, I quickly realized what a great job LL Bean has done to ensure a quality shopping experience, despite the major construction.
So don’t let the “re-Boot” deter you from visiting if you are in Maine. In fact, I would suggest you don’t miss it. You won’t be disappointed with this quintessential Maine experience!
New temporary “Camp LL Bean” Store
Aside from the construction site, the biggest change to the campus is the huge (and I mean 2,800 sf HUGE) tent-like building in one of the parking areas.
They are calling this structure “Camp LL Bean”. The exterior was actually designed to look like an LL Bean Acadia 8-Person Cabin Tent. How fun! Inside it is airy and bright, with a high peaked roofline.
It houses most of their men’s, women’s and kids’ apparel and outwear. Plus fitting rooms and cash registers, just like a regular LL Bean Store.
The merchandise displays were on-point and the selection was huge. Customer service was top-notch, as always.
All-in-all it was the kind of shopping experience I always expect from LL Bean.
And I did not leave empty-handed!
Hunting and Fishing Store
The Hunting and Fishing Store remains fully intact. As before, it is home to hunting and fishing equipment and apparel.
Plus, downstairs they now have a big display of Boat and Totes, backpacks, water bottles, travel accessories, and pet beds and toys.
Upstairs is the temporary location of the shoe department — their usual selection of Bean Boots, fleece slippers, hiking boots, sneakers, and, this time of year, sandals.
Home Store
The Home Store is across the “Discovery Park” green space from the Hunting and Fishing and future flagship stores.
You know home decor is my primary love, so trust me when I say this is one of the most beautiful home stores I have been in.
They have the regular LL Bean home merchandise you can find on their website — bedding, bath, furniture, accessories, rugs and mats, patio, etc..
Plus, they have items available in-store only, many designed or created by local Maine artists.
There is an entire section of beautiful table- and kitchenware — dishes, glasses, dish towels, trays, and specialty foods.
Whether you are decorating your lakeside camp, ski condo, or coastal cottage, they have found special items for you and grouped them together in beautiful displays.
And, there is a wonderful selection of limited edition artwork too.
It was fun to look at all the summer merchandise and dream ahead to warm days and time spent outside.
If I had an unlimited budget, I could really go wild in here…
Bike, Boat, and Ski Store
Right on Main Street, the Bike, Boat, and Ski Store is just what it sounds like.
In the winter it has skis and ski apparel.
Right now it is full of everything you need to get outside on your bike or in your canoe or kayak.
This store truly allows you to embrace the LL Bean motto “Be an Outsider”. (One of the cleverest mottos, I say!)
Outlet Store
If you are visiting the LL Bean flagship campus in Freeport, I encourage you to venture across the street and back into the small plaza area to the LL Bean Outlet.
Here you will find a mixed selection of overstock and past-season items. Some seconds and irregulars with slight flaws. Display models and returned items.
They sell clothing, footwear, outdoor gear, and home goods at discounts of 30-70%.
Merchandise turns over, so you never know what you will find!
LL Bean in the Community
LL Bean is more than just a shopping destination, though. They have truly become a Maine institution, with wide outreach into the community.
And, as they have expanded across the country, their outreach has grown too. So even if you don’t live in Maine, look for events and opportunities in your community.
Outdoor discovery programs
Since 1979, LL Bean has been offering a year-round range of outdoor programs to encourage people to “Get More Outdoors”.
From bird watching to fishing, kayaking to snowshoeing, archery to shooting sports, there are courses, trips, and tours in Maine and other locations in the Northeast.
Plan your own guided outdoor experience here!
Seasonal events
Discovery Park, the green area in the center of the LL Bean campus, is host year round to special seasonal activities
A twinkle light display, giant snow globe, and curling lanes for the holidays. Free concerts and a July 4th celebration in the summer.
And there is often a craft project for kids. The day I was there they could decorate a hiking stick. It was so cute!
While the schedule for this year is up in the air due to the construction, they hope to still continue with some of the events. Check the website for scheduling!
Partnerships in the community
LL Bean is dedicated to creating equitable access to nature and to preserving it for future generations. To that end, they have partnered with national nonprofit organizations and community groups.
This list of partners is long and includes organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Maine Audubon, Mental Health America, National Park Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, American Red Cross, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Make a Wish Foundation, The Climate Initiative, and many more. Here and here are full lists of all their partners.
Milestones achieved in 2024 included investing $6.8 Million in outdoor programs and partnerships and supporting 60+ non-profit partners through their charitable programs and 152 organizations through their small grants fund.
Bootmobile
The Bootmobile is a 13-foot high, 20-foot long mobile replica of the LL Bean Boot.
The first was rolled out in 2012 to celebrate LL Beans’s 100th anniversary.
Second and third Bootmobiles were added in 2013 and 2019.
LL Bean says the Bootmobile’s mission is to “surprise and delight”, and if you have ever seen one at an event or out on the road, it certainly does exactly that! Picture a giant boot on wheels!
To date, the Bootmobiles have logged over 350,000 road miles in 25 states and two countries.
I hope you get to see the Bootmobile one day!
Shop LL Bean
While I highly recommend a visit to the LL Bean flagship campus in Freeport (even during the re-Boot), I know that is not possible for most of you.
Thankfully we live in a digital world, and LL Bean has a fabulous website! In addition to shopping all your favorite Bean merch, you can plan an outdoor experience, find a recipe for blueberry cobbler, learn unexpected ways to use your Boat & Tote or how to wash your dog bed.
LL Bean also has 60 stores across the U.S., with more to open in 2025. Additionally there are over 20 stores in Japan (who knew?!) and 13 in Canada.
Find a store near you using the online store locator.
My purchases
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I did not leave Freeport empty-handed the other day!
Since I had this blog post on my mind, I went for a few classic LL Bean pieces:
A Boat & Tote. Can you believe I didn’t have one? I went for the navy and white, medium size with long straps. Have you seen the tie-in liners Tigre de Tartan makes for tote bags? They are so cute, but pricey. I think I will give a try at sewing one myself. I will let you know how it turns out!
Peaks Island Crewneck, Logo. Going full-on tourist in my home state, I couldn’t resist this old-school-style sweatshirt. I sized up to a medium for a slouchier look.
Women’s Signature Cotton Crewneck Fisherman, Navy Anchor Fairisle. I was drawn to the fun coastal Maine style of this sweater. I can picture pulling it on for our still-chilly spring days and cool summer nights. Again I sized up for a more over-sized fit.
Shop LL Bean Favorites
I am sharing links to some of my LL Bean Favorites — some things I already have and some I would like to have. If you purchase through these links, I will receive a small compensation, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
This Week Into Next
It was another busy week!
I made the drive to Augusta to pick up my Real ID license. Yes, I am one of the procrastinators who waited until the last minute. Do you have yours yet?
On the way back I stopped at a favorite pickers antiques mall. You never know what what you will find at Elmer’s Barn in Whitefield, and this time did not disappoint. I left with two fun items that I will be sharing with you soon. Hint: They are both going in the guest cottage!
This week I received a gifted preview copy of a book that takes place in Maine. Maine Characters is the story of half-sisters who spend the summer together at their dad’s lakehouse after his unexpected death. The author describes the setting as a “world of pink sunsets and bright blue afternoons, barbecues and bonfires, pine trees flanking winding dirt roads, and lazy days spent on the water.” It sounds like the perfect summer read! I can’t wait to get started! Maine Characters hits shelves on Tuesday May 13!
I have saved the best news for last, so I hope you read this far! On Wednesday April 23rd, our family welcomed its newest member! Mira Sean weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs 5 oz and is the spitting image of her brother. Everyone is doing well. The pictures of James with his new sister are priceless. I can’t wait to meet her in less than two weeks!
That’s it for this week!
Be well and be kind!
