This Maine Art Gallery Has A Basement Packed With Vintage Treasures And Old Records

The artists who make the work at this gallery also take turns running the front desk. So the person ringing up your stained glass might be the one who made it. That is a fun twist on shopping.

Then there’s the basement. Head downstairs and the handmade art gives way to antique furniture, old glassware, and a well-stocked crate of vinyl records.

One staircase, two totally different moods. I like how this Maine spot refuses to pick just one personality. Upstairs feels like a celebration of living makers. Downstairs feels like a time capsule someone forgot to close.

I believe the best shops reward curious people who keep exploring. This one practically dares you to check every corner.

Which floor would grab you first, the art or the records?

An Art Gallery Where The Makers Run The Show

Most galleries keep artists behind the scenes. At the Lemont Block Collective, the artists are right there helping run the place.

This member-run gallery showcases roughly two dozen Maine artists and craftspeople. Each member helps keep the doors open, which means the person at the desk might know a lot about the pottery you’re holding.

That setup changes how a visit feels. You aren’t just browsing products on a shelf.

You’re meeting a community of makers who care about what they create.

Here’s another detail worth loving. Artists keep 100 percent of their sales, minus credit card fees.

Your purchase goes straight to the person who made it.

The Collective started in 2020, a tough year for artists everywhere. Craft fairs were getting canceled, and makers needed somewhere to sell their work.

A retail lease ended in this space, and the owners turned it into a home for local talent.

That origin story makes the whole place feel hopeful. It grew from a problem and became something lasting.

So go ahead and ask questions about a piece that catches your eye. The answer might come from the artist herself.

Head Downstairs And Time Starts Moving Backward

One staircase separates fresh handmade art from decades-old finds. That short trip is the whole reason this gallery earns its reputation.

The basement is home to The Antiques Cellar at Lemont Block. It’s curated by Antiquities Refuge League, a vintage and antique business based right inside the Collective.

Owners Deborah McLean and Cole Tamminen bring their sharp eye for old things to the space.

Down here, you’ll find antique furniture, glassware, and gifts with some age on them. It’s a nice change of pace after the bright art upstairs.

Vintage shopping rewards patience. The good stuff rarely jumps out on the first lap around a room.

Try scanning low shelves and back corners. Small glass pieces and odd little objects often hide in spots people skip.

Deborah and Cole have also been featured artists at the Collective. During some events, their items have even been offered at sale pricing.

That’s a good reason to keep an eye on what the Collective has planned.

Honestly, it’s a little like visiting two shops for the price of one parking spot. Plan time for both floors before you go.

Record Lovers Should Budget Extra Browsing Time

Flipping through records is a sport for some people. The basement here gives those fans a well-stocked vinyl section to work through.

Crate digging has its own rhythm. You flip, you pause, you squint at a cover, and then you keep going.

Sometimes the best album shows up right when you’re ready to quit.

Vinyl makes a great souvenir from a trip to Maine. It’s flat, it’s personal, and it comes with a story about where you found it.

Not sure what to look for? Start with artists your parents or grandparents played.

Those records can make thoughtful, surprising gifts.

Another tip is to check the record sleeve and the disc before buying. Older vinyl can show wear, so a quick look helps you know what you’re taking home.

Music fans might want to come without a strict schedule. Racing through a record section is never as fun as taking your time with it.

The neat part is the contrast. Upstairs celebrates artists creating new work right now.

Downstairs, the music from years ago gets a fresh chance to spin. Both floors honor makers, just from different eras.

Gifts That Actually Started In Someone’s Studio

Ceramics, woodwork, knit wearables, and stained glass all share space upstairs. The variety makes gift shopping much less painful than usual.

The Lemont Block Collective carries a wide mix of handmade goods. You can find woven, knit, and felted wearables and art.

There’s also woodcraft, furniture, and mixed media textile pieces.

Wall art comes in many forms too. Look for prints, oil paintings, pastels, photography, and stained glass.

Jewelry lovers have plenty to study as well. The jewelry selection is a strong part of the mix.

Some pieces would make an easy, meaningful birthday gift.

Up-cycled items also show up in the lineup. These are functional and decorative pieces made from reused materials, which is a clever way to give old things a new job.

Here’s a helpful shopping idea. Think about the person first, then the medium.

A coffee fan might love a ceramic piece, while a cozy sweater person might prefer something felted.

Every item here was made by an artist from Maine. That means you’re bringing home a small slice of the state, not something mass-produced overseas.

The Brick Building Has Been Around Since 1870

Back in 1870, someone built a four-story brick building with shops downstairs and gathering spaces above. More than 150 years later, that plan still works.

The Lemont Block was designed with retail on the ground floor. The upper floors held spaces like Lemont Hall, where people could come together.

Today the Collective sits in the ground floor corner space. It’s located at 150 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011, right at the intersection of Pleasant and Maine Streets.

Aaron Turkel and Cleo Vauban bought the building in 2019. Both have Maine roots, and they took on the job of caring for a downtown landmark.

A restoration of the building was completed in 2022. That kind of work takes patience, money, and a real love for old places.

Old buildings like this one tell stories just by standing there. The brick has watched a lot of Brunswick history roll by on Maine Street.

Take a moment outside before heading in. Look up at the full height of the building.

It’s easy to miss the upper floors when the shop windows are calling your name.

Workshops Let You Try The Craft Yourself

Admiring handmade art is fun. Learning how to make some of it yourself is even better.

The Lemont Block Collective regularly hosts artist-led workshops throughout the year. These classes give you a chance to learn directly from the makers whose work fills the gallery.

Some events take place in historic Lemont Hall. It’s located at 2 Pleasant Street, just around the corner from the shop.

Workshops are a smart pick for many situations. They work well for a friend outing, a family activity, or a gift for someone who loves crafts.

Beginners shouldn’t feel nervous about signing up. Learning from a working artist means you get real tips, not just instructions read off a card.

The best way to find upcoming classes is to check the Collective’s event schedule. Topics change, so it’s worth checking more than once.

There’s a nice bonus too. After a workshop, you’ll probably look at the art in the gallery differently.

Suddenly you notice the careful stitches, the smooth glaze, or the tiny details in the glass. Knowing how hard something is to make makes it easier to appreciate.

A Founder Who Collects Needful Things

Some collections follow strict rules. Others are guided by a simple question: is this thing useful, charming, or just plain fun?

Cleo Vauban, a founder of the Collective, curates what she calls needful things among the vintage items. The phrase alone makes you curious about what qualifies.

The Collective itself also includes antique and vintage items in its offerings. That means older treasures aren’t only found in the basement.

Mixing old pieces with brand-new art is a clever move. A vintage dish next to a handmade print can make both look more interesting.

This approach also fits a home décor plan. Many people like blending something old with something new to give a room personality.

Try this idea while you shop. Pick one vintage item and one handmade piece that would look good together.

It’s a fun challenge that can lead to a great combo.

Vintage goods also tend to be one of a kind. If something catches your eye, think it over quickly.

The odds of finding the exact same piece on your next visit are pretty slim, and that’s part of the thrill.

Your Easy Guide To Timing A Visit

Good news for anyone with a busy calendar. The shop is open seven days a week.

Monday through Saturday, hours typically run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sundays, the doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.

Hours may stretch longer during summer and the Christmas season. Those are busy shopping times, so extra hours make sense.

A few holidays mean closed doors. The Collective shuts down on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Planning around the holidays? The weeks before Christmas could be a great time for gift shopping, especially with possible extended hours.

Give yourself more time than you think you need. Between the gallery upstairs and the antiques below, a quick stop can turn into a long browse.

The stock also changes as artists bring in new work. Coming back during a different season can feel like visiting a new store.

One smart tip is to check hours before heading out, especially near holidays. A quick look saves you from staring sadly at a locked door in the Maine cold.

Nobody wants that kind of disappointment.

Make A Whole Afternoon Out Of Downtown Brunswick

Leaving the shop doesn’t have to end the fun. Downtown Brunswick has plenty within walking distance.

Hungry after browsing? Maine Street Bistro sits right next door, which is very convenient.

Other restaurants line the area too, so you’ve got choices.

Book lovers can hunt through nearby bookstores. Antique fans can keep the treasure hunt going at a nearby antique mall.

Bowdoin College is also close by. Its art museum makes a great match for a day already full of creative work.

Here’s a simple plan for a great day. Start at the Lemont Block Collective, grab a meal, then visit the museum.

It’s an easy loop that covers art, history, and food.

Walking is the best way to enjoy this part of town. Shop windows and old buildings are easier to appreciate when you aren’t hunting for parking every ten minutes.

Brunswick makes a great day trip for anyone exploring Maine. The town blends college energy with small-town charm in a really pleasant way.

Just don’t be shocked if you return to the car carrying more bags than you planned. That’s the risk of a good shopping street.