Lower Exchange Street

Portland’s downtown shopping district is known as the “Old Port”.  And though it stretches about three blocks in either direction, this street is one of my favorite areas.  This picture was taken at the bottom of Moulton St, looking back up toward Fore St.  Since Moulton connects Exchange St. with Commercial St, it is sometimes referred to as “Lower Exchange”.  Commercial St (behind me in this picture) is another very important Old Port road as it runs the length of the Portland waterfront and is lined with dozens of restaurants (more on that soon!).  I especially like this time of year as the tree blossoms make this New Englandy cobblestone street even prettier!

In this area you will find a number of local favorites.  Bull Feeney’s Irish Pub, a favorite gathering place for food, drinks, and entertainment, is at the top of the picture on Fore Street.  If Guinness or Whiskey are your drinks of choice, you can’t miss this place.  Not only are they revered by bartenders and patrons alike, they also somehow manage to be inserted into nearly every dish served here!  You've gotta love a place whose motto is "Losbter's love Guinness"!  Certain to impress any connoisseur of good food too, the environment in this place cannot be matched anywhere in town.  At once a rowdy bar, a quiet restaurant, and a music venue, their two story, three building expanse allows them to provide a niche for just about everyone.   Mexicali Blues, located on the right, is a locally owned import store.  They specialize in clothing, jewelry, and gift bought around the world using fair trade practices.  And though their style may not suit your tastes, simply walking through their store adorned with bright colors and the smell of incense will warm your heart and awaken your senses!  Even walking anywhere near their storefront, you can’t miss their sights and smells.  Located next store is a relative newcomer to the Old Port Scene (2007), The Maine Squeeze.  A truly authentic California style juice bar, this little gem may be new, but is already one of the coolest kids on the block!  Need a morning meal replacement?  This is your place.  Looking for a mid-day pick-me-up?  This is your place!  Thinking about walking around the Old Port on a warm day and looking for a healthy alternative to the standard iced mocha frappuccino or ice cream cone?  This is your place!  Owner Buzzy Trusiani, himself a California native, has blessed our little corner of the world with the real thing.  In his attempt to bring a slice of the California coast to Maine, he has created a gem.  You can find thousands of juice possibilities in this place from the extremely healthy (think: raw/vegan/vegetarian) to the not so healthy (think: chocolate/honey/ice cream) and everything in between.  You can fall into a coma just trying to decide what to order - if one of the hundreds of named drinks don’t inspire you, Buzzy and his staff gladly entertain any combination you can think up and might even add it to the board if it turns out well.  And though we all think of juice bars when the weather turns warmer, Buzzy stays open twelve months a year and is quick to point out that you need your fruit and veggies most when the days are coldest and the sun is lowest in the winter sky!   One more thing before you head here...bring cash because they doesn’t accept plastic.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, or are planning a visit, make sure to put this corner of Portland at the top of your list of must sees - you won’t be disappointed!  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to walk down to Maine Squeeze and get my favorite juice shake for lunch!