When you think of power shopping, you probably picture someplace like Chicago’s Magnificent Mile or Fifth Avenue in New York City, right? Well, if you need retail therapy, forget about the overpriced stores and confusing subway systems; Portland, Maine is where you want to be. If you are planning a move to the area and you love to shop till you drop, then you should feel right at home here. In fact, the many distinct shopping opportunities attract tourists from across the country, so you know there must be a diverse shopping landscape here.
Old Port
You will quickly learn why Old Port has become such a touristy area the very first time you spend a few hours shopping here. You will find an eclectic mix of retailers from high-end boutiques to giant shops filled with handmade jewelry by a local artisan. There are also antique and consignment shops where you can find one of a kind pieces. You will definitely want to indulge in the fantastic food at the restaurants here too. Old Port is just a really quaint area to walk around, even if you are only window shopping!
The Maine Mall
More than one million square feet of exciting retail space awaits you here. This is a beautiful mall with more than 120 stores, including special retailers, such as Pottery Barn, White House Black Market, LUSH, Teavana, Brighton Collectables, Banana Republic, Apple, and more. Of course, you will also find all the trendy stores you would expect to be able to shop at, such as Aeropstale, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and a whole lot more. This mall isn’t just for shopping though. Spa services are available as well as plenty of opportunities to indulge in some good food. You will also love doing your holiday shopping here when the mall is decorated and boasting the greatest Santa display you will probably ever see. If you have children, they will love this display!
Maine-Made Stores
Throughout Portland, you will find a multitude of stores selling quality consumer products made right here in the state. These range from art to specialty foods to boats. These independently-owned stores boast exceptional products for you, your family, pets, home, and more. Folks here understand the value of supporting locally-owned businesses.
The Kittery Outlets
If you live in Portland you only have to drive 20 minutes to Fremont for one of the best outlet malls around. There are more than 100 stores offering shoppers up to 65 percent off retail price. You should not have to spend your entire paycheck on a pair of designer sunglasses or shoes. These outlets are a real lifesaver too if you have teenagers who need to keep up with the latest trends from their favorite brand names. Just a few favorite stores that have fantastic deals include Under Armour, Eddie Bauer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Calvin Klein, Columbia, and Adidas. If you live here, you want to take advantage of the midnight madness sales that kicks off the holiday shopping season in November!