Hey there, I from eastern Canada and looking to make the drive down to do some across border shopping. Could folks give me some advice on the main shopping centres?
Thanks for your time!
Comments
Lieutenant_Joe t1_jdqc5yg wrote
Used to be that canucks from the maritimes would always go to the Bangor Mall or elsewhere in Bangor, but the mall is rapidly becoming a ghost town. If you’re okay with adding 2+ hours (one way) to your trip, then you can go to Freeport for clothes, the Old Port in Portland for antiques and doodads, and the South Portland Mall for literally everything except groceries. If you’re not cool doing that, downtown Bangor is like the Old Port. Just smaller.
If you go to Freeport for outdoor wear, don’t buy the boot that looks like the giant one outside the big L.L. bean building. The design hasn’t been updated in like 70 years.
truththeavengerfish t1_jdqejnv wrote
The outlets in Freeport and Kittery seem like just more retail stores now. I read that a lot of places just manufacture substandard merch specifically for their outlets. I’ll usually grab a few things at the LLBean outlet and from the clearance shoe wall at Nike, maybe something at KTP but that’s about it. I guess a person needs to consistently troll these places for best results. Anything I’m missing? Anywhere you can recommend?
Lobstaman t1_jdqh720 wrote
There’s a reason it hasn’t been updated, it’s perfect.
TRBullMoose1912 t1_jdqibfn wrote
The bean boot doesn’t need an update, it’s iconic. If you want a newer boot just get a pair of Keen boots or something. The bean boot is still a pretty solid and great looking boot.
Guygan t1_jdqiyie wrote
> I read that a lot of places just manufacture substandard merch specifically for their outlets
This is correct and has been the case for years.
Guygan t1_jdqj286 wrote
> the South Portland Mall for literally everything except groceries
There are supermarkets near the Maine Mall.
hike_me t1_jdqjlnz wrote
Canadians used to come by the bus load to shop at the Bangor Mall and at the nearby plaza with Kohls and Old Navy. the Bangor Mall is a ghost town now. I’d go to the outlets in Freeport and the Maine Mail in South Portland if you’re planning a shopping trip to Maine.
Lieutenant_Joe t1_jdqk7rg wrote
Yeah but they’re not inside of the mall
Also, I don’t imagine this person is gonna drive down from Canada for groceries
Lieutenant_Joe t1_jdqkc4m wrote
It looks good, but if you actually want to use it for hiking or fishing, there are significantly better quality and value options right inside the store. Some of them are even Bean made
TRBullMoose1912 t1_jdqkh6b wrote
That’s fairly obvious, and It can hold its own if you don’t push it too much, main obstacle is traction but I’ve had to bushwhack in a pair once and they didn’t do to bad.
Henbogle t1_jdqkjw5 wrote
The internet has killed off the shopping north of Augusta. You might be better off looking to Vermont or New Hampster
Lieutenant_Joe t1_jdqkskn wrote
Point is, it’s not really worth it unless you’re a fan of the aesthetic.
Which… admittedly, is hard to beat.
Lieutenant_Joe t1_jdqo1dp wrote
If they’re coming from eastern Canada (the Maritimes), southern maine will probably be more convenient than North Conway
baxterstate t1_jdqpqv4 wrote
Look for a Renys. There are real deals to be had there AND they carry quality merchandise like Carhartt and Pendleton. They also have close outs. I bought a bunch of Woolrich flannel shirts before Woolrich went out of business. If you see an Ocean State Job Lot, try it out. If you go to Southern Maine, check out Cabelas and Kittery Trading Post.
If you like power tools, check out Home Depot and Lowe’s. When they put something on clearance, they frequently drop the price to below what they paid for it.
MainelyKahnt t1_jdqwn33 wrote
Calais has outlets and is right on the new Brunswick border
Runnah5555 t1_jdr0c1c wrote
They’re ALL Maine shopping centers!
hike_me t1_jdr0nd1 wrote
Once in a while the Patagonia outlet in Freeport has 40% off sale, sometimes including current season merch (which is usually full price). I always stop there when I’m in Freeport.
hike_me t1_jdr1305 wrote
I literally saw a bus load of Canadian shoppers stop at the Hannaford in Brewer while I was grocery shopping one time.
Before the mall really went to hell, there would be multiple bus tours of shoppers from Canada in Bangor every week. Some would actually make a stop at a grocery store.
almirbhflfc t1_jdr42y4 wrote
I'm a fellow Canadian living in Maine now. Reny's, Mardens, Ocean State Job Lot are all excellent. Bangor is a couple hours from the border and you can get good shopping there, but the mall sucks. They have an LL Bean outlet too, Kohls will have great deals, Target is solid. The the top 3 are Mardens, Ocean State Job Lot and Reny's
mizshellytee t1_jdrs14s wrote
Calais doesn't have outlets. (to clarify: my brain equates "outlets" to stuff like you'd find in Freeport and Kittery.)
Korathaexplorah t1_jds3jk8 wrote
Mardens. Go there.
InfamousCelery4438 t1_jdschei wrote
Burlington has a store in Bangor, if it's still open. S. Portland too. I like taking a quick spin through there because you can get linens and tablecloths, Macy's equivalent of quilts and comforters, for decent prices. I still have one lightweight quilt that's just over 10 years old, in good shape.
eljefino t1_jdsns9k wrote
The inflexible sole is like wearing a ski boot.
TRBullMoose1912 t1_jdsqq6z wrote
If anything it’s a pretty flexible sole
[deleted] t1_jdwxgxb wrote
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ngagner15 t1_je6j6s7 wrote
What’re you talking about I live in Calais all we have is a Walmart (I work there, nothing really special but we all call it the Washington county mall) and Mardens 💀
cmcrich t1_jdpoznl wrote
How far down will you be going? South Portland has the Maine Mall, plus a lot of other stores around it. Then there’s Freeport, of course, with LL Bean and lots of other outlets. Augusta also has some pretty good shopping. I’m not too familiar with anything further north of there.