Whether you have visitors in town or just want a Sunday afternoon stroll, Old Port offers endless options for entertainment. Between lunch and a late afternoon ice cream stop or before dinner and live music, it’s important to slow down and savor the work of many talented Mainers behind welcoming and creative storefronts lining the cobblestone streets. You may be casually browsing for basic necessities or looking for a special gift – regardless of the occasion, there is a little something for everyone on these downtown streets.
Here are 10+ places to shop in the Old Port – including favorites, staples, and newcomers you may not have even heard about yet!
Making Maine-ly Memories
Visiting and need a souvenir? Headed out of town and want to bring a piece of Maine along as a gift? Or, maybe you simply want to memorialize a special moment or life milestone? These shops have sentimental down, from small celebrations to major engagements.
Chart Metalworks
Chart Metalworks is located in a beautiful, historic building overlooking the Gorham’s Corner and the John Ford Statue – a Portland native who is regarded by many critics and film historians to be the greatest movie director in the history of cinema. They create made-to-order customized pieces featuring either a map, chart, or graphic that tells a meaningful story for you or the recipient of your thoughtfully created gift. All of their raw materials are from the USA, many from Maine. Memorialize your favorite place or memory in handcrafted cufflinks, coasters, necklace, cutting board, cribbage game or more.
Photo: @shopdesignsbycc
Designs by CC
Cheryl Cook is the owner and designer at Designs by CC, where she creates custom jewelry with an eclectic mix of earthy and elegance. In addition to working on handcrafted designs, Cheryl’s shop specializes in precious gemstones and Maine tourmaline. If you aren’t in the market for something new right now, but have some special pieces of family heirlooms in need of repair, she can help with that, too.
Local Color
Maine-based artist Kate Nelligan is inspired by the colorful summers of her childhood in Kennebunkport. She translates that into the colorful graphic prints and coastal designs that line the shelves at Local Color. Shop here for gifts, home goods, and a curated selection of feel-good brands with a coastal flare.
Old Port Card Works
Right around the corner from Portland’s Fore Street and Exchange Street hub, you’ll find an endless trove of souvenir treasures at Old Port Card Works: Maine-themed merchandise, colorful crafts, and creative home goods. Of course, there are many cards to choose from, ranging from sentimental to sassy.
Candy and Cannabis
Even without considering the wealth of restaurants, coffee shops, and ice cream parlors in the Old Port, there are so many sweet and savory treats to explore and take home –whether you’re looking for candy, CBD, cannabis, or a little bit of all of the above!
Flowers & Candy
The tagline for this thoughtfully curated shop is “utility + beauty = joy” and each item they sell reflects that ethos. Stop in for the best selection of Maine made CBD products and smoking accessories as well as leather goods, EDC, jewelry and hats all sourced from small-batch makers based in Maine. Of course, they also carry candy – you can stop in for a customized CBD consultation and some candy samples!
Photo: @oldportcandy
Old Port Candy:
Right in the heart of Old Port, this sweet shop specializes in nostalgic candy and house-made fudge. Grab some locally made chocolate or Maine-themed goodies to bring home from vacation, or simply stop by to stock up on your favorite hard-to-find treat; they have it all.
Photo: @shopskordo
SKORDO:
They may not sell literal candy, but any home cook will feel like a kid in a candy store at SKORDO. As Maine’s premier cooking lifestyle brand known for their small-batch spice blends, unique ingredients, recipe kits, accessories, cookbooks, and more, SKORDO’s curated selection is designed to empower home cooks to prepare and enjoy delicious food with the ones they love. This is a great stop for gifts for your favorite home cook – whether that’s a loved one or yourself.
Photo: @ecggold_portland
East Coast Gold
Following the Maine tradition of locally sourced, handcrafted goods, East Coast Gold offers rich cannabis extracts, tablets, and tinctures. Whether you’re well educated and appreciate quality cannabis or looking to explore THC for the first time, their doors are open to help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Well Outfitted
If you’re going to stroll down the Eastern Promenade or sail on Casco Bay, you have to look the part. Outfit yourself (and your furry friends) in the best of the season — or run in for a sweatshirt when the weather suddenly changes.
Bella Funk
Sisters Katie and Stefanie are on a mission to empower women through their mindfully-sourced collection of clothing and accessories. They have two locations, one in the mountains of New Hampshire and the other on the seaside streets of Portland, Maine. Their goal is to encourage women to invest in meaningful pieces that they love and have a more conscious impact on the planet. Stop by to discover your new favorite outfit.
Photo: @haberdasheryportland
Haberdashery Resale Clothing Co.
Haberdashery looks like a posh downtown boutique, but it is actually a resale store. Through their ultra-curated selection process, they offer a wide selection of sustainable brands, high-quality designers, and unique vintage pieces at lower prices. Stop by for a special event dress or new favorite vacation outfit and leave without doing too much damage to your wallet — or the environment.
Photo: @uncommonpaws
Uncommon Paws:
Be warned: it may seem like a great idea to stop by Uncommon Paws with your dog on your next walk through the Port, but your furry friend will start to insist on a shopping trip every time you’re in the area after a treat sample and kind greeting from this pet store’s staff. In addition to a wall of treats and a wide selection of toys and supplies for cats and dogs, UncommonPaws has an endless array of printed leashes, collars, harnesses, and dog beds – each handmade by the owner.
Happy Shopping!
