As summer wanes and fall's crisp days beckon, shopping for antiques and collectibles can be an appealing way to spend a day or weekend. Whether shoppers drive down scenic back roads or take well-traveled thoroughfares like Route 1, all regions of Maine offer an exciting variety of fine antiques amid scenic surroundings.
With the trend today of making the home a peaceful refuge, antiques help us connect with the simpler times from the past. And here in Maine, people imagine that dusty treasures are still waiting to be discovered in the attic of the old houses that are a part of the state's rural landscape.
Although the usual definition of an antique is an item at least 100 years old, experts say the term can vary with the market and with the buyer. "Here in the 21st century, we're in a new era," said Pat Center, owner of Centervale Farm Antiques in Scarborough and president of the Maine Antiques Dealers Association.
"What's referred to as 'antique' depends on your perspective," she said. "An antique dealer would generally say something has to be 100 years old, but I've heard people call vintage stuff from the 1950s antiques. Nowadays the definitions have gotten cloudy."
Center added that folk art - game boards, pottery, weather vanes and other memorabilia - is very hot in today's market, even though most are 20th-century vintage.
"There is still a myth about Maine antiques," she said. "People think of all those antiques sitting in the old farmhouse or barn; Maine has that rural appeal. For a long time, antiques were found in New England and shipped all over."
As for prices, Center said, some antique shops offer extremely high-end pieces for very specialized markets. On the other hand, most every town has an antiques mall, flea market or bargain barn offering vintage items and collectibles in all conditions and in every price range.
According to Donna Reinheimer, marketing manager for the Maine Office of Tourism, hunting for antiques is a big draw for both tourists and year-round Mainers.
"People enjoy Maine for many reasons, whether it's to see a lighthouse, climb a mountain, visit a beach, or view the foliage. Although we don't have specific numbers, our sense is that visitors are equally drawn to the treasure-trove of antique shops, rare book stores, galleries and auction houses that Maine offers."
The Office of Tourism's Web site suggests three tours of antiquing areas in the state. The Big Dipper Trail winds through the scenic roads of western Maine and includes stops in Bethel, Rangeley and Farmington. The Down East Trail has lots of ocean views along with secluded coves and beaches. It begins in Ellsworth with stops in Surry, Blue Hill, Sedgewick and Stonington. The South Coast Trail features the biggest concentration of antique shops in Maine as it winds through York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport and on to Arundel.
Center has her own recommendations for spots that offer great antiquing possibilities.
"You could start on the midcoast in Bath, where you can park and walk near the river and check out all the shops on Front Street," she said. "Bath also has the wonderful Maine Maritime Museum."
From there, Center said, shoppers can continue on to Wiscasset , which bills itself as "Maine's Prettiest Village," with several stores offering early Americana and folk art. Following Route 1 then takes travelers to Thomaston, Rockland, Camden, Belfast and Searsport. Searsport is known for its eclectic mix of antique shops, flea markets, used book stores and auction houses.
"These towns are so scenic and offer so much to see and do," Center said. "As for antiques and collectibles, there are a variety of individual shops and group malls."
If heading to or from New Hampshire, Center suggests stopping in Cornish to check out the group of antique dealers in that southwestern Maine town.
The historic Kennebec River city of Hallowell, located next to the state capital of Augusta, boasts a nice collection of antique and specialty shops, along with art galleries, restaurants, and the new Kennebec Rail Trail along the river.
Antique lovers can't resist the lure of antique shows and auctions. Some good shows are slated for the fall, including the Ogunquit Antique Show on Sept. 18 and 19 and the Fall Antiques Exposition Oct. 31 on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine. Many auction houses operate weekly in the summer, and some continue year-round.
As for words of wisdom for prospective antique buyers, Center offers this sensible advice: "Buy what you really like from a reputable dealer."
So, with these suggestions of places to visit and with plenty of time to browse, Maine's antique shops are waiting to be discovered.
Lori Douglas Clark is a free-lance writer living in Readfield.
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