Chebeague Island, Maine to Portland Shopping
(Anonymous)
Cliff Island, Maine - Short Ferry Ride to Chebeague Island, Maine
I live in the Montreal, Quebec, Canada and I will be visiting Chebeague Island, Maine in early October. I will be staying at the Chebeague Island Inn and have a couple of questions regarding shopping in the area.
Could you please tell me what the closest big city is to Chebeague Island. Is it Portland, Maine? I realize we need to take a ferry off the island to go anywhere, but we're looking mainly for a large grocery store, possibly a Target Store, and also The Christmas Tree Shop. Thanks very much!
Liz's Reply...
Your October visit to Chebeague Island in Maine sounds wonderful! At that time of year the Maine coast is particularly peaceful. The summer crowds are long gone, and fall weather in Maine is just perfect for getting around comfortably.
You are correct, Portland is the closest city to Chebeague Island. It is also Maine's largest city. If you have a few extra hours landside, you may enjoy exploring some of its many shops, galleries, museums, restaurants and historical landmarks.
As for the stores you mention...
Will you be departing for Chebeague Island from Yarmouth, Maine, via the Chebeague Transportation Company (CTC)? Or from Portland, on the Casco Bay Lines Ferry that also services Cliff Island enroute?
Either way, I assume that when you return to the mainland it will be to the point of departure, where you left your car.
If you are on the return ferry to Yarmouth and the Cousins Island Wharf...
... you will most likely take the shuttle to the CTC satellite parking lot located on Route 1 in Cumberland, ME. Also on Route 1, just a few miles away in Yarmouth - at 756 U.S. 1, is Hannaford Supermarket.
If you return from Chebeague Island to Portland's Commercial Street Wharf...
...although there are a few specialty food shops within close proximity, such as Stonewall Kitchen, Maine's Pantry and the Micucci Grocery Store, for a greater selection of items you may be interested in...
...the Whole Foods Market, at 2 Somerset Street - just under a mile from Commercial Wharf, or...
...the Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy at 295 Forest Avenue - approximately 1.5 miles from the Casco Bay ferry.
As for a Target store and Christmas Tree Shop near Portland...
There is a Target store in South Portland, Maine at 200 Running Hill Road. However, the closest Christmas Tree Shop to Portland, ME is nearly 10 miles away in Scarborough, at 490 Payne Road.
There are also two other Christmas Tree Shops in Maine, but they are further away in Augusta and Bangor.
For readers who are not familiar with Chebeague Island, Maine, or the Chebeague Island Inn...
At 3.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide Chebeague Island is the largest island in Casco Bay. The island sits 10 miles offshore from Portland, Maine and is home to both seasonal and year-round residents.
The Greek Revival style Chebeague Island Inn sits in a north western portion of the island. The oceanview property has 21 uniquely decorated rooms and is well known for the innovative cuisine it serves in the Chebeague Island Inn Restaurant. For more information...
...read reviews of Chebeague Island Inn, written by others who have traveled there.
I hope you have a great trip to Chebeague Island, Maine and find these stores without any trouble!
Best regards,
Liz
