Auburn, MA...just off the Mass Pike and on Route 12. Personally, I am not impressed with their quilt fabrics. JMHO for what it's worth. (BTW, I lived in Quincy for 30+ years. Miss Saftler's and Quilter's Compass. The South Shore has lost many good LQS in the recent years).

If you are headed to Bar Harbor be sure to stop at Mardens in Ellsworth. You will go right by it on your way. There are not any campgrounds open until Memorial weekend.

Don't Miss Alewives or Mainely Sewing in the Mid-Coast area.

Just for those not familiar, Mardens isn't really a "junk" store per se, they specialize in purchasing surplus and salvage lots. They bid and buy merchandise from store closings, insurance claims, etc. When a well-known Sew and Vac had their fire a couple of years ago, all the machines ended up at Mardens (and one came home with me), as well as TONS of feet and other accessories. DH and I spend HOURS looking at all of them - most were new in box. We've gotten great deals on golf equipment (Sun Mountain, Ping, Titleist, etc.). Last year, DH scored some great high end woodworking items that had a (not Maine) state police evidence tag on them. We also just missed the beginning of a great golf equipment acquisition that was mostly sold in their Scarborough store. Earlier this year they announced a huge lot of quilting fabric from an insurance claim (watch their FB page for their deals).

It's kind of a big treasure hunt - you don't know what you'll find there, and if you see it and want it, buy it because it might not be there next time "I should have bought it.... when I saw it... at Mardens" is their theme song ;-)

Michelle

We scored an ice fishing auger for our son at Marden's once. I also found a flannel I had bought about seven years before for a much better price. Last summer I found YLI silk thread and a bunch of embellishments. They also have yarn. One caution, watch the quality of the fabric. Some is great, some not so much.

Fabricate in Bar Harbor itself is fun. It's on Mount Desert Street (from memory)

:-)

Well I am back. I Got sick driving out of the neighborhood and stayed sick for the entire 8 day trip. I passed many quilt shops and had no desire to go into any of them. Total bust!!! thanks for your suggestions though.

How sad, not to beable to enjoy the trip even if you didn't shop. Beautiful country and relaxing and you end up being sick thru it all. So very sorry.

thank you Anne