By Amber Lee – Maine Moose Gurl

There’s more to Moosehead shopping than what pops up on GPS. Most visitors cruise into Greenville along the main route. However, some of the best shops sit quietly off the beaten path—waiting for the curious, the wanderers, and the detour-takers.

Take the Jackman Trading Post, for example. Unless you’re rolling in from the back side of Moose Country, you’ll likely zip right past it. That means missing out on the sassiest flannels and some serious Maine charm.

Then there’s Kokadjo. Blink and you’ll miss the sign—but don’t miss the Trading Post. The coffee’s hot, the welcome’s warmer, and the T-shirts? They pull zero punches.

That’s why this blog exists. Consider it your cheat sheet to the local shops that don’t always show up on maps—but always leave a mark.

Kokadjo: Where the Moose Outnumber the People

Kokadjo is home to Kokadjo Moose Tours—and a road sign that proudly proclaims: “Population: Not Many.” It may be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place, but it’s also the gateway to all directions of the North Maine Woods—aka where the wild things are.

Just beyond the gravel, you’ll find the Kokadjo Trading Post. Inside, Marie greets you with a smile. She’s the multitasking queen—ringing up flannel, flipping burgers, and welcoming travelers all at once.

Together with her husband Fred, she runs the camps and the store. Between the two of them, they’ve turned it into a warm, quirky stop worth every mile. You’ll find cheeky T-shirts, local gear, and—no exaggeration—the best soft serve this side of a fishing line.

Moose Gurl Pro Tip:
If you leave without laughing at least once or buying the funniest T-shirt you’ve ever seen… you did Kokadjo wrong. And don’t skip the soft serve—it’s practically a rite of passage.

Jackman Trading Post: The Most Fun You’ll Have with Your Pants On

If you’re lucky enough to roll into Greenville from the backroads, don’t blink. You might miss one of the quirkiest stops in the North Woods.

Welcome to the Jackman Trading Post—part souvenir shop, part comedy club, and 100% Maine. Their unofficial motto? “The most fun you’ll have with your pants on.” And honestly, they’re not wrong.

Step inside and the surprises start rolling. Zany T-shirts, Maine-made gifts, grey fox pelts, camo duffels, and enough flannel to survive a blizzard. It’s all here.

And don’t even get us started on their Facebook ads. Equal parts hilarious and head-scratching, they’ll have you wondering how you’ve gone this long without a moose-shaped bottle opener or a “Sasquatch Crossing” sign.

This is the kind of place where you come for a laugh—and leave with a bag full of treasures, a few inside jokes, and probably a story you’ll be telling for years.

Moose Gurl Pro Tip:
Don’t be fooled by the flannel—this place is a riot. Come for the quirky quotes, stay for the “What in the woods is this?” moments. And yes, it is the most fun you’ll have with your pants on… unless you find funnier ones on the T-shirt rack.

East Cove Treasures: Antiques & Oddities

Tucked just steps from Moosehead Lake, this cozy shop lives up to its name—and then some. Right out front, a cement moose with real antlers stands watch, greeting visitors like a gentle guardian of curiosity. Step inside and suddenly, you’re swept into a delightful maze of antiquities, handmade goods, and strange finds that feel as if they were pulled straight from the pages of a Maine fairy tale. From there, it only gets better. Whether you’re after rustic décor, a lakeside keepsake, or something you can’t quite describe but absolutely must have, one thing’s for sure—East Cove Treasures delivers the magic.

Moose Gurl Pro Tip:
Never judge a treasure by its dust. That odd little tool or strange figurine might just be the conversation starter your cabin coffee table’s been waiting for.

May your coffee be strong, your boots dry, and your soul wild.

Your Maine Moose Gurl.

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