Augusta Shopping and Districts

(Augusta, Maine - ME, USA)

The shopping scene in downtown Augusta is fairly basic, since this is a rather small state capital. However, there are a number of grocery stores and supermarkets on hand around the city center.

The biggest supermarkets in the city include Shaw's on Western Avenue (close to the Children's Discovery Museum on Capitol Street) and Walmart on the northern side of the city, which is to be found just past the campus of the University of Maine at Augusta and is part of the Marketplace at Augusta complex. Of note, those shopping at Walmart may like to take in a movie beforehand, at the neighboring Regal Cinema on Marketplace Drive.

Shaw's Supermarket is actually part of the Capitol Shopping Center, where other sizeable stores include both Big Lots and Dollar Tree, along with an outlet of the Applebee's Grill and Bar restaurant chain.

When to Shop and Opening Hours

The biggest stores and supermarkets in Augusta are open seven days a week. Shaw's is open Monday to Saturday, from 06:00 until 23:00, and on Sunday between the hours of 07:00 and 21:00. On Civic Center Drive, the Walmart Supercenter has longer hours, staying open between 05:00 until midnight Monday to Sunday, although the onsite pharmacy is closed at night.

Where to Shop

Standing on Stephen King Drive, Marketplace at Augusta is home to the biggest cluster of shops in the state capital. This shopping center is an open-air retail complex comprising big-name stores such as Barnes and Noble, the Children's Place, Gamestop, Gap, Home Depot, Kohl's, Old Navy, Radio Shack and Verizon. Various restaurants and eateries are spread around the shops and these include the Longhorn Steakhouse, the Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday.

Smaller stores in Augusta obviously have much more limited shopping hours, opening from Monday to Friday from 09:00 or 10:00 until 17:00 or 18:00, and on Saturday between 09:00 and 17:00. The smaller stores often choose to close on Sundays, although some may open during the busiest periods, with limited hours.

If you are looking to hire a mountain bike during a summer visit, to make use of the trails at the Pine Tree State Arboretum, then the Auclair Cycle and Ski Shop on Bangor Street is the place to come. This shop stands in northeastern Augusta, close to the Kennebec River Rail Trail, and is also a good place to hire skis during the winter season, suiting those heading to the newly developed Bond Brook.

The recently remodeled Augusta Pawn and Jewelry store on Water Street is packed with a real assortment of goodies, ranging from second-hand electric guitars and computers, to diamond rings and gold necklaces. For sweet-tooths in Augusta, consider shopping at Kennebec Hand Dipped Chocolates on Western Avenue, while for a traditional American chain department store, head just down the road to Kmart.