An aged man makes a guarantee in a thick Maine accent: "You can find anything in the Old Port."
"Anything" seems a tall order for a district of Portland that covers no more than several blocks; however, this revitalized warehouse district really does offer all that a college student could want in a day trip.
The 30 minute trip to Portland is worth the gas money because it is fundamentally different from shopping and dining experiences elsewhere in Maine. Unlike Freeport and the Maine Mall, the Old Port is made up of locally-owned boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, lending this seaside area a unique and pleasing ambiance.
Strolling down the cobblestone streets with the smell of the sea blowing gently through the air, it is difficult to leave the sidewalk and enter a store. There is so much to see outside.
A fiddler and guitarist play upbeat tunes on a corner. A young mother ushers her daughter away from the candy store and toward the car. Couples finish their shopping to dine at one of the fine restaurants in the area. The sun slowly sets, dropping below the horizon and yet, the air remains warm.
It is difficult to imagine a nicer place to sit and relax than the park bench at the center of the Old Port.
Upon entering a uniquely-named coffee shop, Breaking New Ground, the park bench no longer seems so comfortable. The potent smell of freshly ground coffee awakens the senses; quaint tables lining the front of the shop allow for a great view of the street. Coffee in hand, many patrons sit reading the newspaper, quietly enjoying one aspect of life in the Old Port.
Across the street, cosmopolitan women swarm into a boutique clothing store, appropriately called Bliss. Despite the number of people in the store, it does not feel crowded due to its open floor plan. Store employees are on hand to help every customer navigate several racks full of one-of-a-kind clothing and a wall devoted to denim. The interior walls of Bliss are made of brick and mortar, reminding customers of the history of the Old Port and providing a hip backdrop for the store, one of many boutiques in the area.
Among these boutiques, an older man finds a refuge in the form of a leather couch at the front of Books, etc. Promising 20 percent off current New York Times bestsellers, this shop enjoys its share of bibliophiles and leisure readers. The shelves brim with interesting and unusual books like The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics and The Trouble with Tom: The Strange Afterlife and Times of Thomas Paine, Books, etc.'s book of the day. Extensive selections for children and regional books are available along with best-sellers. Books, etc. is an essential stop for anyone perusing shops in the Old Port.
The variety of stores housed in the brick buildings of the Old Port is amazing.
Walking down Middle Street, visitors will find the familiar Bull Moose logo shining brightly in the basement below the Portland Chamber of Commerce. Soon after that stands the Clay City Redux, a gift shop filled with jewelry, eclectic bags, children's toys, and cookware. Further on, the window of David Wood Menswear bears the phrase "Celebrating American Style" and features the bust of a well-dressed gentleman. Each street is different and unique, offering a shop for every personality, interest, and budget.
The selection of shops may be surpassed only by the diversity of restaurants available in the Old Port. Fore Street, arguably the most famous restaurant in Portland, was ranked one of the 50 best restaurants in the nation by Gourmet magazine and is a destination for tourists and locals alike.
Of similar notoriety in local circles, DiMillo's Floating Restaurant is a great place to enjoy Maine lobster and Italian food. The converted car ferry allows for magnificent views of Casco Bay at night, a view difficult to find elsewhere.
A Portland staple, Becky's Diner, is a more practical eatery for college students.The diner is famous for inexpensive but hearty meals, especially breakfast. It is a great place to begin or end a day of shopping in the Old Port.
Whether starting the day at Becky's Diner or watching the sunset with a cup of coffee at Breaking New Ground, visitors to Portland's Old Port will enjoy the versatility of this Maine hotspot.
Encompassing the beauty of the sea and the individuality of locally owned shops, the Old Port may not have the "anything" found in Wal-Mart, but it does have "anything" fun, unique, and imaginative.