The thing about Maine's Aroostook County is that many shops are family owned and operrated. There are not a lot of malls and franchise stores and that is part of the charm - we love to say mom-and-pop shops line our inviting downtowns! And we invite you to explore them all! In 2026, 1,737 voters from Maine's Aroostook County and beyond cast their ballots in the Best of Aroostook Awards to recognize their favorite places to shop. From locally owned boutiques to one of Maine's most famous bargain stores, here are this year's winners.

With 955 votes, the award for Best Shopping in Aroostook goes to...

First Place: Marden's

For generations of Mainers, a trip to Marden's isn't simply shopping. It's a treasure hunt and we are lucky to have three stores located here: Houlton Marden's, Presque Isle Marden's, and Madawaska Marden's

Family-owned and operated, Marden's has grown to 14 locations across Maine while staying true to the values that have made it one of the state's most recognizable retailers. The Madawaska, Maine, location has been welcoming shoppers for more than 20 years, and store manager Debbie Bellefleur has been there since the doors first opened, becoming a familiar face to customers from throughout the St. John Valley.

From clothing and footwear to home goods, hardware, food, and one-of-a-kind closeout finds, the inventory changes daily. That's why generations of shoppers know the famous saying, "I should have bought it when I saw it at Marden's." Another longtime slogan says it best: "Where the elite meet and the misers mingle."

Whether you're stopping in at the Madawaska, Presque Isle, or Houlton locations - then you should continue the trend to visit all 14 Marden's across Maine on the 'Bargain Tour'. Every visit offers something different, but it is always a bargain. It's that excitement of never knowing what treasure you'll find next that earned Marden's the title of Best Shopping in Aroostook for 2026.

Second Place: Home Ec. Market

Located in Presque Isle, Maine, Home Ec. Market has quickly become Aroostook County's zero-waste refillery for bulk food, skincare, cleaning products, and eco-friendly home goods. Home Ec. Market stands apart from traditional retailers by giving customers the opportunity to refill everyday products instead of purchasing new plastic containers each time. The wicked cute shop offers bulk foods, natural skincare, eco-friendly cleaning products, and thoughtfully curated home goods. Customers can bring their own containers or purchase reusable ones, helping reduce single-use plastic while stocking up on quality essentials. Whether you're committed to a low-waste lifestyle or simply looking for sustainable alternatives, Home Ec. Market makes it easy to shop with both your home and the environment in mind. Shoppers will be delighted by the owner's love of plants. Come to shop or come for the plant swap!

Home Ec. Market earned second place with 29 votes.

Third Place: Bittersweet Thyme

Located in Houlton, Maine's Historic Market Square, Bittersweet Thyme is a charming boutique filled with unique gifts, home décor, candles, jewelry, handbags, seasonal décor, and locally inspired treasures. Opened by two longtime gift shop employees, the store was created to continue serving the loyal customers and visitors they had come to know over the years. Though cozy in size, every corner is thoughtfully curated with affordable finds that make it easy to pick out the perfect gift or something special for your own home. Friendly service, ever-changing seasonal displays, and a welcoming atmosphere have quickly made Bittersweet Thyme a favorite shopping stop in Southern Aroostook.

Bittersweet Thyme earned third place with 28 votes.

2026 Honorable Mentions

Listed in order of popularity among voters are some of the fantastic places for gifts, goods, and gear! Happy shopping!

• Sleeper's — Caribou, Maine
• Bike Board and Ski — Presque Isle, Maine
• The Stone Flower Boutique — Presque Isle, Maine
• Monica's Scandinavian Imports — Caribou, Maine
• Timber Candle Bar & Boutique — Caribou, Maine
• Mac's Trading Post — Houlton, Maine
• Seider's Variety and Sporting Goods— Hodgdon, Maine
• Bouchard Country Store — Fort Kent, Maine
• Serendipitous Dragonfly — Houlton, Maine
• Country Collectibles — Presque Isle, Maine
• Mainely Merchants — Caribou, Maine
• Neighborhood Books — Presque Isle, Maine
• Fort Kent Powersports — Fort Kent, Maine
• Tech N Trenz — Fort Kent, Maine
• The County Co-Op and Farm Store — Houlton, Maine
• Wilder's Jewerly Store — Presque Isle, Maine
• Brambleberry Market — Houlton, Maine
• Morningstar Art & Framing — Presque Isle, Maine
• Pioneer Place — Houlton, Maine
• Richardson's Hardware — Patten, Maine
• Ride North Recreation — Houlton, Maine
• Spring Break Maple & Honey — Smyrna Mills, Maine
• Wiggy's Trading Post — Houlton, Maine
• Willow Wood Farm & Apothecary — Houlton, Maine

"Best Shopping" is just one of eleven categories awarded by Aroostook County Tourism. Click here to see the full results of the 2026 Best of Aroostook Awards.

Aroostook County Tourism (ACT) is the Destination Marketing Organization of Maine's Aroostook County. ACT is comprised of a 12-member volunteer board who work to promote all of Aroostook and invite visitors to find their own adventure through marketing.

‍Best of Aroostook is a fun way to highlight the people, businesses, and places that make the Crown of Maine special. No prizes are awarded. Winners are announced for the top three organizations in each category, while the remaining organizations are recognized as honorable mentions. As is tradition, the honor system guides voting because Best of Aroostook is meant to be a fun way to celebrate local favorites. Please vote and participate respectfully. Voting was open from January 1 through March 24, 2026, and winners were announced in April 2026.