Maine Crafts

Checking out the new retail location of the Maine Crafts Association, in the Mechanic's Hall building at 521 Congress Street. Lots of cool crafts created by talented people from all over the state.

At the Co-Op

An exterior view of the Portland Food Co-Op, located at 290 Congress Street. It's nice to have an independent grocery store with lots of local products nearby. 

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.

Flea For All - Now Open!

The much anticipated Portland Flea For All is now open! The Flea is located at 125 Kennebec Street, in the heart of Bayside and will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm. I had a photographic preview of the space a couple weeks ago, and as promised made it out to opening day for a couple more pictures of everything in action. I was amazed/happy to see so many people wandering around the neighborhood and checking out this excellent addition to Portland's buy-local economy. 

Flea For All front entrance.

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Portland Flea For All

Here's a little photographic preview of Portland's newest hot spot, the Portland Flea For All. It is located at 125 Kennebec Street in the heart of the Bayside neighborhood, which is just around the corner from Bayside Bowl and Trader Joe's (and a short walk from Monument Square). This modern flea market will feature all sorts of vendors, selling "everything from antique furniture to vintage clothing to handmade jewelry to classic vinyl."

I think this will be a big hit, especially given the amount of local crafters and buy-local connoisseurs in town. The grand opening is coming up on the weekend of April 14th and 15th, and it will be open every weekend thereafter from 10am-5pm. More details about the Flea For All and vendor applications are conveniently located on their website. Many thanks to the Flea's proprietors, Nathaniel and Erin, for giving me a tour of the space and for their efforts to enhance Portland's creative economy. These photos show an almost empty building, but come opening weekend it will be full of life. I will be sure to get some photos when it is open for business.

The first floor space. 

The 2nd Floor

Looking towards Marginal Way from the 2nd floor. 

The 3rd floor space with it's neat sloped ceiling

Along Kennebec Street (Ignore the no parking sign, there is plenty of parking if you travel by car).

Enterprise Records

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

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is opening soon at 188 Middle Street. It's a good example of how well-designed and beautiful old buildings can have a variety of uses throughout their lives. This building was built in 1926 and is known as the Canal Bank Building, after it's original tenant.

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!

Small Business Saturday

In honor of Small Business Saturday, here are some great coupons to local small businesses in Portland that are valid today and tomorrow. The coupons are via Portland's Downtown District.

A couple photos of small businesses:

Bakery on the Hill, 253 Congress Street. 

Port City Bikes, 82 Parris Street. 

Shoes on Congress

Shoes along Congress Street, at Reny's.

A Reny's window along Free Street 

Reny's Portland

Reny's is open today! These pictures are from a couple days ago, so the scaffolding is all down, the signs are all up, and all systems are go. I look forward to having a Maine adventure here sometime soon.

Sign of Spring

This is from yesterday, outside of Longfellow Books in Monument Square. I think that putting books outside is a good sign of spring. That and the warm temperatures yesterday and possibly today.

'Tis the Season

 This is Emerald City, located at 611 Congress Street in the State Theater Building. I hear it's a good place to start the holiday season shopping.

If you are around town today, the annual tree lighting in Monument Square is at 5:30pm, it's a good event for the family. Also in Monument Square, the Public Library will be having an open house from 3-6pm.