2 Best Shopping in East End, Munjoy Hill, and Washington Ave., Portland

Maine islander Angela Adams specializes in simple but bold geometric motifs parlayed into dramatic rugs (custom, too), canvas totes, bedding, and other home accessories. The shop also carries sleek wood furniture from her husband's woodshop.

Fermentation is the name of the entire game at this quirky and Onggi (pronounced “Ong-gee”), named after the Korean vessels in which fermentations like soy sauce, kimchi, and rice wine are made. Owned by a young trio of self-titled “fermentation nerds,” the friendly shop peddles an array of fantastic—and mostly small-batch—products: the likes of Taiwanese soy pastes; preserved Moroccan Meyer lemon paste; ponzu sauces with yuzu; and mushroom ale vinegars.