76. Ferdinand
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 761-2151
Address: 243 Congress St.
Description: What if your friend the hipster ever got it together enough to open a housewares store? It might result in something like Ferdinand, a fun and funky downtown shop where the goods are handmade (“fashioned by Ferdinand”) and/or vintage (“found by Ferdinand”). Great for thoughtful gifts—who wouldn’t want a handsewn potholder—it’s also the sort of place where you can get yourself an extra cool T-shirt, monster patch, or arty bobbie pin.
77. Fetch
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 773-5450
Address: 195 Commercial St.
Description: It’d be hard to find a store in Portland that’s more fun than Fetch—especially if you have four legs. A spirited supply store for cats, dogs, and their people, it brims with wit and whimsy. Dog packs, travel bowls, feed bags, tents, sleeping bags, sunscreen, bug spray, laser play toys, place mats, sock toys—these sorts of goods fill a pretty old building on Commercial Street. Not a superstore like PetCo, this is a mom and pop with spunk. They regularly host events—Wednesday is Pug Night, for instance—and they seem as enthusiastic about pet toys as a pug puppy.
78. Folia
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 761-4432
Address: 50 Exchange St.
Description: Folia (which used to be called Fibula) has long been a favorite place among shoppers looking for inventive, creative, one-of-a-kind jewelry. A group of local jewelers is behind the place.
79. Green Design Furniture
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 775-4234 or (866) 756-47
Address: 267 Commercial St.
Description: You’re going to be wanting to take some of this stuff home with you. Douglas Green’s black cherry furniture is fantastic—updating and contemporizing Shaker and Mission-inspired designs. His new pieces have clean and curvaceous lines, and they are all very functional. Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
80. Leroux Kitchen
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 553-7665
Address: 161 Commercial St.
Description: Formerly known as the Whip and Spoon, this kitchenware store makes amateur chefs gaga. From creative colanders to crazy cookbooks, brilliant bread machines to bagel cutters, anything and everything a cook could want can be found here. The store also has specialty foods and one of the city’s best wine selections. The owners host cooking classes at the rear of the place.
81. Maine Potters Market
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 774-1633
Address: 376 Fore St.
Description: Several pottery co-ops exist in Maine, and this is the largest and arguably the best, representing the work of 13 craftspeople from across the state. Founded in 1978, the shop is right in the heart of the Old Port, and the works within are unique and functional—”art you can handle.”
82. Mexicali Blues
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-4080
Address: 9 Moulton St.
Description: Maine seems to have a particular fondness for jam bands and the neohippie phenomenon—Phish has played some of its largest gigs here, and shows by Strangefolk and Moe are always well attended—and that support has kept this Old Port emporium busy since 1987. All the requisite tie-dye, batik, flowing dresses, drums, incense, patchouli, beads, jewelry, and wall hangings can be found inside. The shop’s owners cruise the globe—from Bali to Baja—to track down unique items, and they have their own lines as well. This is a convenient, one-stop shop for the whole happy hippie family. There are other stores in Freeport and Newcastle.
83. Rogues Gallery
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 773-4900
Address: 41 Wharf St.
Description: Where do Brad Pitt and Bono get their T-shirts? In Portland, apparently. That’s where you’ll find Rogues Gallery, a hipster boutique and home to Alex Carleton, who’s done design work for L.L. Bean, Abercrombie & Fitch, among others. Carleton moved back to Maine and founded Rogues Gallery in the Old Port. The tees are most famous and they’re made from recycled shirts, dyed, and printed with “subversive” designs. But you’ll also find everything from suits to sweaters to footwear. If you want to dress like Brad Pitt you better have a similar bank account, though, because T-shirts here retail for close to $100.
84. Portland Stage Company
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 774-0465
Address: 25A Forest Ave.
Description: Portland Stage is a professional troupe that presents performances from October through April at its own theater in an old Odd Fellows hall. From Shakespeare and A Christmas Carol to world premieres, it does a little of everything. Call or check the Web site for the current lineup.
85. Pca Great Performances
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 842-0800
Address: 50 Monument Sq.
Description: Some of the best shows to have played Portland are those that are sponsored by this vibrant outfit. Each season—from fall to summer—PCA brings about 20 performers to the stage of Merrill Auditorium, from the hyperactive percussion of an ensemble like Stomp to the individual brilliance of an artist such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Drama, dance, and music are all represented, and the talents are always of the caliber that usually visit only much larger cities. Call or click over to the PCA Web site to find out this year’s lineup.
86. The St. Lawrence Arts Center
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 775-5568
Address: 76 Congress St.
Description: One of the city’s more distinctive buildings, the St. Lawrence Church was in need of rescuing in the late 1990s, and a grassroots effort was undertaken to restore and preserve the 1897 stone Congregational church. The result is a really cool 110-seat, multifunctional venue for local arts and cultural organizations, including bands. Groups from around the state play the stage regularly, especially in summer.
87. Portland Opera Repertory Theatre (Port)
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 879-7678
Address: P.O. Box 7733
Description: Portland’s resident opera company, established in 1995, PORT regularly brings big operatic productions to the stage of Merrill Auditorium. Call or check the Web site for the complete schedule.
88. Portland Symphony Orchestra
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 773-6128
Address: 50 Monument Sq.
Description: In 1997 Merrill Auditorium, the home of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, was completely refurbished, transformed from a tired old city hall auditorium into a world-class concert hall. Finally the PSO had a home worthy of the house band. The 80-member orchestra has been a popular draw in the city for decades. Particular crowd-pleasers are the PSO’s annual summer pops and the December-long Magic of Christmas series.
89. Asylum
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 772-8274
Address: 121 Center St.
Description: A new booking agent has this place busy with live music several nights a week now. This is the place to look for local, regional, and the occasional national hip-hop, metal, or jam band act. On Thursday there’s an ‘80’s Dance Night, and next door is a popular sports bar.
90. The Big Easy
City: Portland, ME
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (207) 775-2266
Address: 55 Market St.
Description: Thousands of miles from NO/LA, this Old Port oldie hosts shows by local acts and the occasional out-of-towner. Lots of hip hop and tribute bands. And hip hop tribute bands.