It has been very nice to stop by Cornish Village the last few weekends and to have to search for a parking spot each time. I love seeing the village busy, and I really love how invested this community is in supporting local businesses. There’s no shortage of gift options in the downtown area. A little something for everyone from toys for big and small At Once All Agog; to yarn and craft supplies and local artists items at Full Circle Artisan Gallery and Bead Emporium; and hand-painted ornaments at Terry’s Uniques.
There are so many pleasant surprises just a little off the beaten path
Although we all go into a bit of hibernation mode in the winter time, Willy C’s Bait and Tackle in Brownfield, Maine wants you to get outside and go fishing! They have an endless assortment of fishing gear for spring through winter, including all kinds of rods and reels, ice shelters and tip-ups, as well as fly tying vices for those who want to tie their own. They are known for their great live bait and a gift certificate could be a great solution if you don’t exactly know what to get. Your favorite fishing aficionado will not be disappointed with the selection! Willy C’s Bait & Tackle is located at 941 Pequawket Trail, Brownfield, ME and is open 6 AM-6 PM every day except for Wednesday.
Staying competitive with big retailers is a large part of inventory selection at The Local Gear. They won’t carry items that you can get cheaper at Amazon; this way you can feel good about shopping locally and know that you are actually getting the best price possible. The Local Gear is not just a bike shop either; my favorite items there will keep you warm all winter. Be sure to check out the coziest, American-made, Farm To Feet wool socks, and Johnson’s Woolen Mills jackets and flannels, which are 20% off through the end of the year.
Artisanal distilling has been sweeping the nation for years, but these carefully crafted spirits are not just for hipsters in pretentious tasting rooms. Sitting by the fire with a glass of rye whiskey or bourbon, after shoveling a long driveway or snowshoeing your groceries uphill to your doorway, is an experience no tasting room can simulate. Conveniently, Call’s Shop & Save has a fantastic variety of locally distilled Maine Spirits like Stroudwater, New England Distilling & Maine Craft Distillery, Wiggly Bridge Distillery and Liquid Riot. Call’s Shop & Save is a family owned, located at 200 Maple Street, Cornish, Maine, and is open every day 7 am - 9 pm.
The signage might be gone, but Corey and Shelby Oates, founders of Sowing Oates, LLC, are passionate about getting the community involved and pumped about art. For those that like to wear their art - a gift certificate for a tattoo session with Corey is a fantastic idea. A $100 gift certificate would cover a consultation and a small tattoo, or is a great kick-starter for a bigger piece. The studio gallery is located at 100 Maple Street, Cornish, Maine; and operates by appointment only, which can be set up by reaching out through their Facebook page.
For animal lovers, Silver Paw Pet Tags are made “in the middle of nowhere” in Brownfield, Maine. Local owner, Karen Twombly, makes stainless steel pet tags that: really stand out, are indestructible, and are also rust and chew-proof! There are many beautiful options available, handcrafted and hand cast; the craftsmanship is of superb quality. They are made in the USA and come with a 100% guaranteed free replacement and free re-engraving if the tag ever becomes unreadable. Check out their website www.silverpawtags.com for more information.
Lastly, I loved this idea born out of a question on the Cornish Community Corner Facebook page! I asked about favorite, local stocking stuffers, and heard so many great ideas; but my favorite was a maple syrup nip from Oak Hill Farms, High Acres Maple Syrup in Hiram. They have a variety of sizes, but the $2 bottle nip is just perfect. Not to ruin the surprise, but I think I know what I am slipping into everyone’s stocking this year. If you are curious, other suggestions included goat soap from Mini-Hooves Farm in Limington; felted items from Finding The Puddles gift shop in Cornish; and Chocolate from Wright Chocolate House in Limerick.
What are your favorite local gifts? Comment below, and share your ideas; show us your pictures too. If you are on instagram, tag us @sacopeevalleynews and use a hashtag #sacopeevalleyfinds
