Gift Local 2012

In honor of the Christmas shopping season, here are some Portland-themed gifts for that special person on your list. In no particular order (except for the first two!):

Portland, Maine 2013 Calendar by Corey Templeton. Just $24.99 for 12 months of your favorite city!

Check out the professionally printed photos and other products like canvas wraps, magnets, and more  at Corey Templeton Photography. Photos make great gifts and you can get anything on the site for 20% off between now and the end of the year by using code Holidays2012 at checkout. 

I recently stumbled upon this artwork by Andy J. Hunter that combines Portland, Maine with the animated television series Futurama, which sells for just $6.60 for an 8" X 10.2" print:

Check out the weather resistant, durable, and fashionable wallets, bags, and iPad sleeves designed and manufactured in Portland (on Peak's Island) by Flowfold.  The company has been making their goods since 2010 from "high tech racing sailcloth," and their products seem to be catching on. I like the cut of their jib, and so should you. Also note that some Flowfold folk will be at the Picnic Holiday Sale at the Portland Company Complex today.

A Portland institution since 1994, Coffee by Design has a variety of coffee and other goods available in their stores and online. Nothing says "Portland, Maine" like a CBD bumper sticker or coffee mug. 

Portland's own independent book store, Longfellow Books, is still alive and well and books always make a good gift.

Want some more lists of local gifts? Check these out:

Support Portland's Creative Economy with These Locally-Produced Gifts - by LiveWork Portland

Maine Today's Buy Local Gift Guide - by Fore Front Fashion 

Maine Made Holiday Gift Guide: 2012 - Bourbon. Portland. Beer. Politics.

Etheridge Foundry

Observant pedestrians in Portland have likely noticed these manhole covers that were made locally by Etheridge Foundry.

Below is a recent photo of the Etheridge Foundry headquarters, located on Ocean Avenue almost in Falmouth. I'm not sure how much business they do these days. I wasn't able to find any info about them on the internet other than their blurb on Manta.com: Etheridge Foundry & Machine Co in Portland, ME is a private company categorized under Manhole Covers Manufacturers. Our records show it was established in 1927 and incorporated in Maine

Enterprise Records

Enterprise Records is an LP-only retail store founded in 1987 and is located at 650 Congress Street.

Buy Local Holidays

Here are some Portland-themed shopping ideas for the holidays. Not all of the products are made in Portland, but they relate to it in someway. 

MECA Holiday Sale Support local artists and help them afford tuition. Open today, Saturday, 10-5.

Portland, Maine Map Art  I like maps. This is an artistic map of Portland. Two thumbs up.

Creating Portland, By Joseph Conforti  An educational read about our city. Also available at your local library.

2012 Portland, Maine Calendar, by Corey Templeton Can’t say enough good things about it. 

Portland, Maine Bike Map Makes a great stocking stuffer for the bicyclist in your life.

Rogue’s Gallery Sellers of trendy local fashion. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for their threads at local thrift shops, which sell their apparel used for about 98% off of retail price. 

Feel free to reply with your own ideas!

Buy Local - Katie Made Bakery

Today's Buy Local pick is Katie Made Bakery at 147 Cumberland Ave.

Buy Local - Soakology

Today's Buy Local photo is of Soakology, a foot sanctuary and teahouse, located at 30 City Center. I've never been there but it looks like a nice place and they have a very nice storefront.

Each Monday on October (and perhaps beyond) I will be posting a photo of a Buy Local business. Support your local retailers!