Ogunquit News
Still open: not all of Ogunquit closes down after Christmas by the Sea
By C. Ayn Douglass
While things in town tend to quiet down at this time of year and some businesses have closed for the season, many of Ogunquit's shops and eateries remain open and ready to help with your last-minute holiday shopping. For example, among those shops still open, Barbara Lee Chertok of Books Ink on Shore Road (pictured below) has the shelves literally stuffed with all things literary. Meanwhile, Mary Breen and her efficient crew of bakers and baristas at Bread & Roses, also pictured, are taking a much-needed vacation for a couple of months this winter. Breen said she closed just a bit early this year - right after Christmas by the Sea, in fact - so that she and her employees can relax and enjoy the Christmas holiday. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Breen said, they filled orders for 489 pies for people throughout the region.
Photos by C. Ayn Douglass
And for better or worse, there is no snow to frost the holiday landscape and spin us into a festive mood.
That may be the disposition at the malls, but in the village of Ogunquit merriment is high, shopkeepers are in good spirits and their stores are well stocked with just the perfect gifts.
Ogunquit is well-known for being a tourist destination in the summer and has extended its season by opening earlier and closing later every year. But many people mistakenly believe it slams its welcoming doors after Christmas by the Sea.
Not true!
Last Saturday, Dec. 16, those in the know were strolling Main Street, Shore Road and Perkins Cove finding Christmas treasures in specialty shops that remain open through the Christmas holiday, New Years and, in a few cases, year-round. These fascinating shops feature New England crafted items, are not part of a big-box chain franchise and are, in most cases, owned or operated by people who are invested in Ogunquit because they live and vote here.
Talk about charming.
At Art & Soul on Shore Road, the shop is still bright, crisp and beach-y with all items except those on consignment being sold at 50 percent off. They specialize in distinctive art jewelry and decorating items. Shopkeeper Julie Duvall said the store has been open for 10 years and this season it will stay open for the Christmas weekend, but close after that until April.
They have a wonderful selection of stocking stuffer items, including products from the Three Sisters Soap Company in Kennebunk, and artful items from artists in Portland, Freeport and Winterport. The find of the day was a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind mirror made in Maine for the "princess" of the family.
Harbor Candy Shop on Main Street is a year-round destination for fine confections. Ingredients are selected from superior chocolate, dairy cream, fresh eggs and pure vanilla. In addition to the luscious chocolate that is a feast for the nose and eyes as well as the palate, this year, according to staff member Sarah Mann, Harbor Candy is offering holiday-frosted marzipan stuffed with fruit-flavored liqueurs made on-site by Harbor Candy experts. The find of the day was candy-covered chocolate seashells and beach stones ideal for stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.
Ogunquit Remedies on Main Street, famous for scooping out about a gazillion tons of Ben and Jerry's ice cream during the summer, will be closing at the end of the month for a short winter break. Long-time scooper extraordinaire Marge O'Connell said they are absolutely out of every ice cream flavor except Cherry Garcia, but are well-stocked with Christmas cards, all-occasion cards and a fine selection of cigars from the Dominican Republic. The find of the day was a boxed selection of Christmas cards with a Maine seashore flavor.
Bill McGarry at the Perfume Depot on Main Street offers more than 600 fragrances - both old standards dating back to the 1800s and newer scents such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Angel and Brittany Spears. McGarry, an Ogunquit native with 15 years of experience in fragrance, said he carries all the classic Guerlains, Bulgari and Burberry scents that never go out of style. Through the holidays, the Perfume Depot is offering its fragrances at 30 to 70 percent off. The find of the day was a classic Alfred Sung - a gift for Santa Claus.
Across the street at H & M Crumpett you will find a great selection of French milled soaps, Crabtree and Evelyn and Caswell and Massey fragrances. The charming shop will be open only until Christmas, but again, it's a wonderful place to find stocking stuffers.
On Shore Road, proprietors Kathy and Ed Kelleher of The Barrel Stave will be open until Jan. 1 and then close for the winter except for an occasional Saturday. They will open again in April. The Barrel Stave specializes is highly sought-after collectibles such as the work of the folk artist Jim Shore, who is, according to Kelleher, "the hottest folk artist in America and known world-wide."
They also offer a fine selection of Cat's Meow items, Jody Coyote earrings, Willow Tree collectible figurines and Byers collectibles. To check the selection of goods at the Barrel Stave, see their website at: www.thebarrelstave.com.
Kathy Kelleher is an artist and her works are available both as prints and on jewelry. The find of the day was a Kelleher pin for a former Maine friend who has moved to Arizona.
It is impossible to talk about holiday gifts without including Books Ink on Shore Road. The year-round bookstore owned by Barbara Lee Chertok is stuffed, crammed and overflowing with books on all subjects and for all ages. Chertok's particular interest is to offer an abundant selection of books for children - particularly for ages 10 to 15.
"Children want to read good books," she said, "something that will keep their attention. We want them to know what the world is like."
Books Ink has an excellent selection of Maine-based books from Down East books as well as sections on gardening, travel, mystery, best-sellers and classic literature. If you want to write your own book, Books Ink has some wonderful blank journals. Finds of the day were a mystery book for a friend who keeps the computer running all year and a book on living in St. Andrews - another gift for Santa Claus.
When you need a break from shopping, Bessie's on the corner of Shore Road and Main Street offers wonderful lunches and a much-needed cup of coffee. Or you can stroll over to the Village Food Market, the unofficial town hall in the winter, and enjoy a sandwich, hot chowder or soup from the deli or one of their fine bakery items. Village Food Market is also taking orders until Friday, Dec. 22, for their excellent gift baskets that include Maine berry preserves, Bar Harbor clam chowder, Sea Dog mustard, Flo's relish and other delicacies exclusive to our area.
It was a delight to shop in Ogunquit and accomplish nearly all those holiday goals with friendly shop keepers who are happy to serve you. And there are many more stores to visit before the last gift is wrapped. Jeremiah's, This Is It, Perkins Cove Candy, Ogunquit Games and On the Main are well-stocked and waiting for your shopping experience.
