Tour de Thrift – Stage 2

This weekend we decided to head north. Route 1 is a beautiful drive any time of year with glimpses of the ocean and the charming New England houses that hug the coastline. Winter is a nice time to drive this route as the traffic jams of summer visitors are non-existent, and the bare trees afford better viewing of the water and landscape.

The second stage of the tour begins in Ellsworth, ME which is about 64 miles from our place, an hour and 30 or so minutes.

Shop #1
Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 15 Downeast Hwy, Ellsworth, ME 04605
Map
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00am – 8:00pm Sundays 9:00am – 6:00pm

The Ellsworth Goodwill store is a new type building, very clean, bright and tidy. Sometimes these new Goodwill stores remind me of TJ Maxx. The store had a decent sized housewares section and my husband once again managed to find a cool old Polaroid camera. I didn’t have any luck finding things I was looking for but did take a look at the many racks of clothing and purses. I found a nice summer bag from Banana Republic. I noticed quite a few young college kids shopping here, and they seemed to be regulars, so they must have some good clothing. The store started to get very busy and we decided to head out to the next stop on our tour.

Best Finds: Polaroid One Step camera, Straw and Leather satchel – Banana Republic

We managed to quickly stop in two other stores on our way out of Ellsworth. The first was the ReStore Habitat for Humanity shop, about a block north of the traffic light on Route 1, they had some great things but priced a bit to high for us. I will definitely check out the store near where we live, and recommend visiting a ReStore location if you are doing a renovation or house project. They have many great deals on building materials, appliances and some furniture. To find a store near you or learn more about Habitat for Humanity ReStore visit there website- ReStore.

We also visited another store called 2nd to None located at 112 Main Street, Ellsworth. 2nd to None is mostly clothing and accessories so we didn’t spend much time looking, although I did see a great pair of red leather boots as soon as I entered the store! Maybe next visit I can spend a bit more time there.

Shop #2
Abby’s Attic Thrift Shop
986 Acadia Highway (Route 1)
East Orland, ME (207) 469-7575
Map
Hours: None listed ?

Heading south on route 1 about 16 miles out of Ellsworth is the very small village of Orland. The Post Office and Thrift Store are combined in one cute little red building on the right. Abby’s Attic Thrift Store is part of H.O.M.E, Homeworkers Organized for More Employment, a nonprofit organization that was established in 1970 as a craft cooperative. H.O.M.E. is involved in economic reconstruction and social rehabilitation. The shop was a little under stocked but they still had a few very interesting items, a neat coffee table, some paintings, clothing and housewares etc. I loved that the store is essentially in the large lobby of the village post office and as we shopped the local folks came and went and visited with each other. It seems like a very friendly place with cheerful good-natured banter. We will be adding this to our list of funky little places to revisit. I didn’t notice any hours listed but imagine if you stop in during normal post office hours the store will be open, or give them a call if you are from far away.

Best Finds: No finds this visit.

Shop #3
Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques
1768 Bucksport Road
Ellsworth, ME, 04605 (207) 667-7308
Map
Hours: Open 7 days – typically 10-4pm but do change seasonally
The Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques is not a thrift shop but who can resist visiting a place like this? First of all it’s HUGE and secondly group shops can often have some good deals. The first floor of the barn is all small vendor booths, with so much variety it’s hard to list here. The second floor is entirely filled with books, maps etc. We managed to find several booths with great sales. If you are traveling on Route 1 south of Ellsworth this is a great place to stop, stretch your legs, have a bathroom break and see a vast array of vintage, antique goods and books! Well worth a visit.

Best Finds: Small wicker sewing basket, Polaroid Spectra System camera

Shop #4
Belfast Goodwill
13 Goodwill Drive
Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-8363
Map
Hours: Weekdays & Saturday 9:00am-8:00pm Sunday 10:00-7:00pm

Belfast, Maine is another former ship building town along the coast and at the mouth of the  Passagassawakeag River (pas-uh-gas-uh-WAH-keg) River – that’s a mouth full!
It has a wonderful downtown area with a lot of shops, eateries, and a busy Co-op.
The Belfast Goodwill is on the western edge of town just off Belmont Ave (Route 3) Behind Pizza Hut.

We have been to this Goodwill several times and usually manage to find something that makes the trip worth while. This trip I cracked up when I saw this box of Pole dancer glassware from Fishs Eddy on the shelf next to a groovy leopard print lamp! Too Funny and a bit out of place.

Best Finds: Emalox aluminium 12″ plate, Kalart 8mm film Editor Viewer

With another great day of exploring coastal Maine’s thrift stores, we ended the second stage of the Tour de Thrift  with a few nice little finds and the opportunity to see some beautiful scenery along the way.

Stage 3 will be taking us in-land so be sure to check back soon!