Tour de Thrift – Stage 5 – The Local Loop

Sometimes the best places to find great bargains are right in your own backyard. Stage 5 of the Tour de Thrift is a local loop and took us to 6 good shopping destinations, all within a 40 mile circuit around where we’re living. With busy schedules and the rising price of gas, sometimes it’s nice to explore thrift shopping options close to home.

Stop #1
Thompson Community Center
Flea Market
51 South Union Road
Union, ME 04862
(207)-975-0352
Map
Flea Market: First Sat of the month Oct.-May
8:00am – 1:00pm
*Restrooms available
**Food available 

The Thompson Community Center is right off Route 17 in Union, Maine. The old yellow and brick school building houses not only the monthly flea market but many other community events, classes, yoga and a thrift store. The folks that run this place are dedicated and friendly community members. We’ve been both vendors and shoppers at this flea market several times. We always have a good time and find neat things. The indoor flea market has it’s last weekend in May but I heard they are considering having one flea market weekend outside this summer, so be sure to check their website. If you are not from the Union area this flea market is worth the trip. The vendors offer a variety of goods from antiques to super bargain yard sale type items and the atmosphere is very friendly!

Susan and John have wonderful vintage goods for sale at the Union Flea Market!

Each month we look forward to visiting several of the vendors at the flea market as they always have new cool things to check out. Susan and John (see photo) are there every weekend and offer a great selection of vintage clothing (Susan makes great hats!) cameras and much more.

Photo: Vendor Art Johnson's Rusty Anchor table and Susie of The Shanty with her Little Lena's Whoopie Pies

Did I mention food! Not only will you find tons of vintage, antiques and hand-crafted items to browse through, but some vendors like Susie from The Shanty (soon to open on route 1 between Warren and Thomaston, ME) have wonderful treats to munch on while you shop. There is also a snack bar serving hot food. Once you finish with the flea market be sure to head downstairs to the Thrift shop.

Shop #2
Thompson Community Center
Thrift Shop
51 South Union Road
Union, ME 04862
(207)-975-0352
Map
Hours:  Mon. – Sat. 10:00am – 2:00pm
*Restrooms available

Although this little thrift shop is tucked in the basement of the Thompson Community center it should not be missed. Not every visit will yield a treasure but every now and then you can find a gem. The prices are very good and once again the profits help out the center and the community.

Best Recent Finds:

Shop #3
Union Antique Traders Co.
Route 17 & 131
Union, ME 04862
(207) 785-2322
Map
Hours: Wed.-Sat 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 12:00am – 4:00pm
*Restrooms available
 About 1 mile west of Thompson Community Center is a new group shop located right on Route 17 and the corner of Common road, across from the Maritime gas station. Full disclosure here – we have a small booth in this shop (#51), so stop by and check it out and let us know what you think. Gary and Alison are the super nice, helpful owners who are always willing to answer questions and help you find what you are looking for. We stop in here to check on our booth but often shop as the vendors change inventory regularly and have great prices. There are a variety of styles in this shop, from ornate antiques to shabby chic to vintage retro. If you are driving to the coast on Route 17 or coming to the Union Antique Festival add this shop to your trip itinerary.

Shop #4
Highway Treasures
Atlantic Highway (Rt.1) & Manktown Road
Waldoboro, ME 04864
(207) 975-6834
Map
Hours: ??

Traveling on Route 1 in Waldoboro, ME will bring you past a little country convenience store called Townline Video Plus. The red building next door on the corner is Highway Treasures. Although this shop looks small it has tables outside that are often filled (weather permitting) with flea market goodies. We’ve stopped in here several times and usually find something worth purchasing. There is quite a collection of ephemera, photographs and vintage pin-up girls, furniture, housewares and vintage jewelry. The prices are reasonable and on chilly days they have the wood stove going which makes shopping very cozy.  Joyce and Wesley are easy going and buy antiques and scrap metal.

Shop #5
Salvation Army Thrift Store
27 Payne Ave (Route 1)
Rockland, ME 04841
(207) 594-5326
Map
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 6:00pm

Another local favorite is the Salvation Army store on route 1 just south of Rockland, ME. The store is large and always has some type of advertised special going on. Some days it is half off everything! It may require some digging and maybe more than one visit to find just what you are looking for but they change the stock frequently so you should find something good eventually.

Best Finds:
 

Shop #6
Goodwill Thrift Store
202 Camden Street
Rockland, ME 04841(207)-594-2419Map
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday 9:00am – 7:00pm
*Restrooms available

The final stop on Stage 5 of the Tour de Thrift’s local loop was the Goodwill Thrift store in Rockland, ME. This store is becoming very popular and located on Route 1 in Rockland, Maine, right across the street from two other shopping centers. This is a regular stop for us as we run errands around Rockland. The store is very clean, bright and the staff is super friendly and always helpful. The clothing section is very well organized with some high quality name brands. The furniture and housewares sections can be hit or miss but are usually very well stocked. It’s a rare occasion that we leave this store empty handed. If you are in the area this is a must visit store! Remember to keep an  eye out for the special color barb of the week for special deals.

Best Finds:



Local thrift shopping trips offer great finds close to home.
What are your favorite local places to shop?