As the fall foliage treats everyone to a burst of brilliant color, road tripping all over the state of Maine to take in the scenery is a pleasant way to spend a Saturday. For stopping to grab a casual meal in situ or picking up provisions for a picnic somewhere else along the trail, Maine’s general stores are a great resource because most offer both necessities like milk and bread as well as more interesting local products like fresh produce, aged cheeses, cured meats, craft beer, and Maine-made soda.
General stores have existed in Maine since the mid-19th century. These brightly painted, clapboard-sided, de facto community centers that dot the state’s rural landscape are where visitors can learn about local goings-on and interact with residents. Independently owned stores like these deliver what corporate big-box super centers can’t: a bit of nostalgia, the chance to slow down, and delicious local food made with care. Here are a few of our favorites, from Smyrna to Kennebunk and Port Clyde to New Gloucester.
Coffee with the Bush family
H.B. Provisions
15 Western Avenue, Kennebunk
hbprovisions.com
(207) 967-5762
The owners of H.B. Provisions were friends of George H.W. Bush, whose family maintains a home in this southern Maine seaside town. Visitors will find photos of the owners with the 41st president, books written and signed by Bush family members, and presidential memorabilia. No-nonsense cups of coffee, specialty roasts, and flavored blends are all on tap at the coffee bar. The shop also carries a multitude of chilled wines, which are perfect for BYOB dinners in town.
Casual dining with friends
New Gloucester Village Store
405 Intervale Road, New Gloucester
ngvillagestore.com
(207) 926-4224
This welcoming village store located inland in Cumberland County offers all the fixings you might need to make your own meals at home, but its indoor and outdoor seating makes meeting friends for breakfast or lunch a treat. Choose from hearty ready-to-go sandwiches, pizza pies, and a variety of classic salads, such as Caesar and Cobb. You can also opt for protein-packed choices like salad greens topped with pulled pork and black bean and corn salsa, or beef steak with onions, cherry tomatoes, and feta.
Soup for you
Bessie’s Farm Goods
33 Litchfield Road, Freeport
bessiesfarmgoods.com
(207) 865-9840
Located just a few miles from Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park and L.L. Bean’s flagship store, this off-the-beaten-path gem is stocked with Maine-made things that longtime friends and owners Deede and Kathy find delicious, beautiful, and/or particularly useful. Everything is self-serve—from fresh breads and baked goods to locally sourced honey and maple syrup. When the weather turns cooler, customers visit to warm their hands around the pot-bellied stove and grab a quart of homemade soup. If the coffee cake is on offer, don’t pass it up.
Breakfast by the sea
East Boothbay General Store
255 Ocean Point Road, East Boothbay
ebgs.us
(207) 633-7800
Built in the 1890s, this charming general store is loved by locals and visitors alike for its mouthwatering menu. In the mornings, visit for coffee and hearty egg sandwiches. If you’re with a hungry group, consider the breakfast pizza—a customer favorite made with a signature white sauce, eggs, bacon, sausage, and a blend of mozzarella and American cheeses. Nearby you’ll find Grimes Cove, a stunning spot to enjoy a meal oceanside.
Bike for tacos
Alna General Store
2 Dock Road, Alna
alnageneralstore.com
(207) 586-5515
Cyclists exploring Lincoln County often seek out this mom-and-pop shop for its authentic, California-style Mexican fare. The rotating menu features burritos, quesadillas, and tortas, but the tacos are a customer favorite. Choose from homemade fillings like marinated sirloin, chicken, pork, or machaca, a tender spiced beef. Pair your street tacos with one of the many craft brews the store offers from around the state.
Road trip treats
Sheepscot General
98 Townhouse Road, Whitefield
sheepscotgeneral.com
(207) 549-5185
Located on a rural dirt road inland from more well-known Midcoast towns like Boothbay and Camden, Sheepscot General is a haven for plant-based provisions and offers an impressive selection of wines and natural sodas, plus penny candy for the kids. The homemade pizzas and baked goods are popular, but a special shoutout goes to the chewy chocolate chip cookies with flaky sea salt.
A go-to for Maine-made provisions
Port Clyde General Store
4 Cold Storage Road, Port Clyde
portclydegeneralstore.com
(207) 372-6543
This cheery red-and-green-clapboard Midcoast store on the water boasts a well-stocked variety of locally made goods for your belly and harbor services for your boat, if you have one. For lunch, you’ll find Linda Bean’s lobster rolls and small-batch potato chips from Vintage Maine Kitchen. If you’re looking to restock your bar, there are spirits from Cold River and Split Rock Distilling plus wines from Blue Lobster and Cellardoor wineries. And for frozen treats, Gifford’s ice cream and Gelato Fiasco flavors are on offer.
A destination for burger lovers
Owls Head General Store
2 South Shore Drive, Owls Head
owlsheadgeneralstore.com
(207) 466-9046
Reopened in the fall of 2020, this sweet community store on a peninsula just southeast of Rockland is best known for its Seven Napkin Burger, a hefty, half-pound burger made of freshly ground beef and topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and a combination of mayo, mustard, and ketchup. The store also stocks ready-made sides such as zucchini and rice with stewed tomatoes, local brews, and (if you have room) generous slices of homemade cakes for dessert.
The place to picnic
Hope General Store
449 Camden Road, Hope
(207) 763-2816
This corner store in the heart of Knox County has been a community gathering place since 1832. Customers visit for locally sourced goods, craft beers, and rental DVDs. The deli inside sells pizzas, salads, and cleverly named specialty sandwiches. The Orchard, for example, has brie, sliced tart apples, turkey, and caramelized onions on a toasted baguette. Take a seat at the picnic table under the shade of a beautiful birch tree.
Pizza on the porch
Lincolnville General Store
269 Main Street, Lincolnville
lincolnvillegeneral.com
(207) 763-4411
You’ll find everyday provisions, fresh local produce, and craft beer here. But the real draw is the wood-fired pizza with creative toppings that include everything from fontina cheese and roasted leeks to dill pickles and delicata squash. Eat al fresco on the wrap-around porch at this cheery, red-clapboard town center store in Waldo County.
Taste of the town
Monroe Country Store
16 East Main Street, Monroe
(207) 525-3300
NOTE: No WEBSITE, but there is a facebook page.
Billed as the small-town store with a big heart, Monroe Country Store in rural northern Waldo County proudly supports its local farms and food producers. It offers homemade ice cream from Stone Fox Farm Creamery, creamy goat milk yogurt from Seek-No-Further Farmstead, Korean hot sauce and kimchi from Chase Stream Farm, and bouquets of flowers from Dandy Ram Farm. Its lively bulletin board will keep you apprised of all that’s going on about town.
Where cheesecake is king
Machias River General Store
25 Main Street, Machias
(207) 255-6581
Machias River General Store is the place to go in Downeast Maine for quality kitchen goods like classic cast iron and cutlery and interesting necessities like bulk spices, locally roasted coffee, and fresh eggs. But when it comes down to it, deliveries of Ellsworth-based Momo’s Cheesecakes products draw local folks into the store time and time again. Individually packaged slices come in a variety of flavors, including carrot cake, bacon maple, and toffee Heath bar.
Lakeside classic
Day’s Store
182 Main Street, Belgrade
go2days.com
(207) 495-2205
Family owned since 1958, this village hub located in the Belgrade Lakes region is part grocery store, part deli, and part Gifford’s ice cream shop. You’ll find Maine classics like whoopie pies and Moxie, local cheeses, and fresh lobster. If you visit on a beautiful autumn day, find a seat outside and enjoy the view of Long Pond.
The up and comer
Monson General Store
12 Greenville Road, Monson
(207) 997-3800
The tiny hamlet of Monson on the shore of Lake Hebron in central Maine has long been a popular spot for hungry Appalachian Trail hikers exploring the Hundred Mile Wilderness, but it’s also a growing destination for artists. The general store, which was renovated and reopened in 2017, is home to a deli serving meats and cheeses raised and produced at Pineland Farms. Visitors can build their own sandwiches or choose from classics like a BLT or grilled reuben. Enjoy your sandwich on the patio or porch.
A home cook’s delight
The Pioneer Place
2539 U.S. Route 2, Smyrna
(207) 757-8984
NOTE: No WEBSITE per Amish tradition
Under the soft glow of propane lighting, shoppers can find nearly everything in this Amish-owned shop, from bulk baking ingredients and cast-iron cookware to kitchen utensils and canning supplies. For fresh baked goods and in-season vegetables and plants, visit the Back 40 Farm Market next door.
