CAMDEN – It is midsummer in Maine, and that means downtown shops are filled. But what are people buying this year? We got curious and visited a few places to ask. What follows is a a generalized, nonscientific survey of Camden’s Main Street, where some merchants revealed their top-selling products. A few merchants were suspicious of our inquiries, and declined to talk about business. Those who did, however, were forthcoming, and the answers are interesting — if not indicative of these times.

What is being purchased?

Hats, especially chili-style hats.  Maine Sport Outfitters, at least the downtown Camden branch, sells a lot of hats; in fact, last year, buyers purchased 3,000 head coverings from Maine Sport Outfitters. All types of hats passed by the register, with chili-style hats leading the surge.

Across the street, the Smiling Cow is selling a lot of fudge and T-shirts.  Linens and Polish pottery make their way from Surroundings.  Once Upon a Tree sells a popular hanging chair, and Jo Ellen Designs is selling many Chelsea bags, Turkish scarves, enamel wear, and ornamental whales made from recycled oil drums.

Owners of The Colony do well with anything with a moose on it.

Camden Deli feeds more Ruebens and Whoopie Pies to hungry patrons than other menu items.  A few doors down, Marriners mixes copious amounts of blueberry pancake batter, and stuffs a great deal of lobster rolls.

River Ducks Ice Cream, which boasts the creamiest soft serve in the state, scoops the “Twist” chocolate/vanilla swirl, along with Maine Moose Tracks and Maine Wild Blueberry.

Before lounging in the new hanging chair, hiding sleepy eyes under the new hat when the stomach is too full to move, get in line at Sherman’s Books & Stationery for The Goldfinch novel.  Or, if staying in town long enough to maintain a library card, elbow up the wait list for the following books at Camden Public Library: 

                 Euphoria / Lily King

                The heist / Daniel Silva

                All the light we cannot see / Anthony Doerr

                The long way home / Louise Penny - This book not due out until late August, but many people are already lining up.

                Invention of wings / Sue Monk Kidd

                Flash boys / Michael Lewis

                Mr. Mercedes / Stephen King

                Top secret twenty-one / Janet Evanovich

                The fault in our stars / John Green

                The bone orchard / Paul Doiron

                Written in my own heart's blood / Diana Gabaldon

                Hard choices / Hillary Clinton

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657