My Favorite Midcoast Maine Antiques Stores (and One Worth the Drive)

My favorite Midcoast Maine antiques stores and where to grab a bite to eat nearby.  Plus some of the finds I’ve brought home over the years.  Let’s go antiquing together!

Hello, friends.

I’m back home, where June welcomed me with the colors my eyes have been craving for so long.

Water reflecting bright blue skies.

The field, a carpet of lush green dotted with yellow buttercups, pink crabapple blossoms, and the first of the purple lupine.

Marsh grass swaying in the ocean breeze, and trees finally (finally!) covered in leaves.

I am taking all of this in from the back porch, as I write this dispatch. Last week I shared a tour of this space. If you missed it, you can read it here.

As I sit here, I can’t help but think ahead to summer (which now feels right around the corner), when visitors will flock to this beautiful state. I often get asked for recommendations from those planning a trip here.

Maine is a big state, but I thought I would start today by sharing my favorite antiques stores in the Midcoast area, where I live. Plus, one in southwest Maine that is so good it’s worth the trip.

I have written about most of these individually in other posts, but I have gathered them together here as a sort of guide: the places I return to when I am looking for something specific — or just want to browse.

Antiques Etcetera, Rockland

Let’s start closest to home.

Antiques Etcetera, in nearby Rockland, is a group shop showcasing multiple dealers, each with their own booth. I like this kind of setup, which is common in Maine, because it offers a variety of styles and price points, all under one roof. Antiques Etcetera is on the smaller side, but I rarely leave empty-handed. The booths are nicely curated and uncluttered, featuring accessories and small furniture pieces, often nautical or locally themed.

I have gotten many wonderful things from Antiques Etcetera through the years, but I think my favorite is a pull-down school map of Maine, which probably dates to the early 1900s. It doesn’t appear that it was ever used because the only signs of wear are some light creases from being rolled up. With its soft blues and tans, it fits into my home’s color scheme perfectly. It hangs in the front hall as a welcome sign to arriving guests.

Grab a bite to eat: Pick up a sandwich or salad and a sweet treat at Atlantic Baking Co., a short drive away on Main Street. (Closed Sundays)

Elmer’s Barn, Whitefield

Elmer’s Barn in Whitefield, not far from Augusta, is a very different experience, but every bit as fun.

The front porch, a jumble of glass bottles, weathered crates, fishing poles, buoys, broken-down bicycles, and the odd piece of rustic furniture, is a good indication of what you’ll find inside the three-story barn.

This multi-dealer emporium, part flea market, part antiques shop, is a picker’s dream. You never know what you will find, but if you look with an open mind and creativity, there are definitely treasures to be had—even if it takes some digging. And the prices usually can’t be beat.

Some of my favorite finds:

A length of old rope pulled from a dark corner of the floor and used as whimsical mantel decor.

A child’s sailor top framed and hung in the guest cottage.

A pull sled turned Christmas tree stand.

And a sailing ship game board repurposed as wall art.

I am always surprised by what I bring home from Elmer’s Barn.

Cabot Mill Antiques, Brunswick

Cabot Mill Antiques, another multi-dealer antiques mall, is located in a restored historic textile mill in downtown Brunswick.

With over 16,000 square feet and 160 displays, it is a one-stop shopping destination for everything from antique furniture to vintage collectibles. This is a great place if you want someone else to have done the editing for you. No crawling on the floor or digging through a crate of this-and-that, hoping for a gem. The prices reflect this, but they are generally still fair.

If you go on a Saturday or Sunday, be sure to check out the Waterfront Flea Market in the adjoining building. It’s a bit more of a mixed bag, but there are deals to be had.

I found one of my favorite pieces there — the sweet ship diorama that hangs above the fireplace in the living room.

It was also the source for the carved wooden buoys I painted for the outdoor table.

Other finds from Cabot Mill include a collection of botanical meadow grass prints for a gallery wall in my bathroom and the carved seagull diorama in the living room.

Grab a bite to eat: Wild Oats Bakery, a fabulous coffee shop, bakery, deli, cafe, and gift shop a short drive from downtown Brunswick. They serve made-from-scratch soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as to-go dinners, such as lobster mac and cheese. I highly recommend their maple rice crispy treats.

Wiscasset Antiques Mall, Wiscasset

The Wiscasset Antiques Mall is located on Rte. 1 just outside downtown. With three floors and more than 100 dealers, they sell a wide range of high-quality antiques, including pottery, furniture, books, artwork, and wooden bowls. It is another good source for nautical decor and Maine-made pieces.

Wiscasset prices can be a bit higher, but still reasonable for the most part. I got a very good deal on the painted Victorian cottage-style washstand I use as a drinks cabinet in the dining room.

Grab a bite to eat: Panacea, in the village, for “fancy” grilled cheese sandwiches made on focaccia, with unique add-ons such as seaweed and green apple, beet slaw, and caramelized mushrooms and grilled onions. The decor is over-the-top fun, embracing an enormous collection of Old Salty and Cap’n Pepper figures.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that Wiscasset is home to Red Eats, the famous lobster shack. It isn’t my favorite, but the long lines — and corresponding 45-minute to 2-hour waits — seem to indicate that I am in the distinct minority.

Camden & Rockport

The neighboring towns of Camden and Rockport have a number of antiques and vintage shops. They are a 10-15 minute drive from Rockland, so you could make a day of it.

Generations Antique Mall on Rte. 90 in Rockport is small, but worth a stop if you are in the area. They sell an eclectic mix of items, including glass, pottery, old magazines, art, and vintage food packaging. I picked up a fabulous antique basket-style pet carrier there that sits with a wicker mate atop the painted cabinet in the living room.

Owl’s Nest Emporium is a new place that I have only been to once. It is a tidy little place with a focus on Mid-Century Modern, cottage, and lake style.

It is where I got a 1950’s wicker-look plastic sewing basket that I shared in a recent post.

Antiques at 10 Mechanic in downtown Camden has a decent selection of antique and vintage items. Over the years I have picked up a number of things there.

Right next door is Vivien and Coco, a tiny little shop that is chock-full of lovely vintage, antique, and repurposed items. The website talks about embracing “humble elegance,” which describes their aesthetic perfectly. Think rough-woven European linens, furniture with simple lines, French baskets, and classic accessories.

I have a wonderfully worn basket from this shop that I store books in.

And down the street is DAAC Designs, another beautifully curated store that sells new handcrafted home goods and contemporary art, as well as antique furniture, accessories, and rugs. It leans into an eclectic coastal Maine look.

I started everybody’s favorite fish-plate wall with a collection of Limoges plates from DAAC Designs.

Grab a bite to eat: Mixed Greens serves up salads, bowls, and open-faced sandwiches made from fresh, local, and organic ingredients.

Cornish Trading Co., Cornish

I have only visited Cornish Trading Co. once, but it immediately shot to the top of my list. Unfortunately (or fortunately for my wallet), it is a good 2 1/2-hour drive from my home. If you are visiting Portland, though, it is only about 45 minutes.

With everything from early American furniture to quirky country finds and architectural treasures, Cornish Trading Co is a browser’s paradise. 

I can’t wait to go back this summer.

Grab a bite to eat: Krista’s Restaurant is a cozy, eclectic spot with a warm, welcoming vibe and a menu that mixes comfort food and creative dishes.

This Week Into Next

I had a wonderful visit with Zoë and her family in Maryland. As she described it afterwards, we spent our days sitting together, chatting, and gazing lovingly at sweet little Maisie. It was perfect. Then 3-year old Poppy would return home from school in the evening like a whirling dervish, all energy and emotion. That was wonderful too.

And Tuesday it was back to Maine — happy to be home, but always leaving a piece of my heart behind.

Thursday, after a dentist appointment, I treated myself to a visit to a new shop in town. Lupine Home Co. opened in a space vacated by my favorite local clothing store when they closed last December. I was sad to see them go, so I was glad when a fun new place moved in. Lupine Home has a little of everything — interior design services, furniture, home accessories, clothing, and even a bit of vintage. So very Molly-in-Maine!

I couldn’t resist bringing home a pair of hooked pillows for Maddie’s and Cisco’s favorite fireside swivel chairs that say “Reserved for 🐾”. Whether it was ignorance or a willful assertion of power, I caught Izzie today curled up in one of the chairs right next to the pillow. Or perhaps she thought those were cat paws…

This weekend’s forecast calls for rain and cooler temperatures. I’d like to get some plants for the front step pots. And there are some changes to be made to the dining room for summer. What do you think — is it time for the Cornishware to return to the dining room hutch?

That’s it for this week, friends.

Be well!