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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 J U LY 9 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S S O U T H E R N M A I N E Maine Offi ce of Tourism. In a survey, half of overnight visitors cited shopping as an attraction, as did 59% of day-trip- pers. More than half of shopping fans (55%) spent money at outlets. Freeport, anchored by L.L.Bean, gets a lot of shoppers from Portland and nearby areas, while Kittery, anchored by Kittery Trading Post, lures more out- of-state visitors, including day-trippers from other parts of New England. Three million visitors a year in Freeport Less than half an hour's drive from Portland and half an hour by Amtrak Downeaster train, Freeport gets more than three million visitors a year. While there are more than 200 stores, the big- gest draw by far is is L.L.Bean's fl agship campus, which is open 24/7 and was a beehive of morning activity this past Father's Day. Many start their trip with a photo at the giant Bean Boot outside the front door. ey leave their cars in L.L.Bean's lot as they check out other stores all within walking distance in what feels like a quiet New England vil- lage, with some buildings going back to the 18 th century. While shops closest to L.L.Bean are most desirable, with heavier foot traffi c, there are nevertheless plenty of empty storefronts. at's especially true on Lower Main Street, which has a vacancy rate of close to 16%, nearly twice the 8.82% for the town as a whole, according to the Freeport Economic Development Corp. (See chart.) Empty spots include the former Tommy Hilfi ger, in a corner space at 100 Main St. and listed by Lerner Real Estate Group, and what had been a two-story Baby Gap off the main drag. Retail space sandwiched between a Gap Factory Store and American C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » A GUIDE TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN MAINE MANUFACTURING RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE BY JULY 18 / ISSUE PUBLISHED OCTOBER 1 I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H : S P O N S O R E D B Y : P R O D U C E D B Y : MANUFACTURERS Find the skilled workforce you need! MANUFACTURERS Find the skilled workforce you need! MANUFACTURERS For more info visit mainebiz.biz/StuffMadeInMaine or contact Donna Brassard at dbrassard@mainebiz.biz Stuff Made in Maine is a special publication that gives manufacturers a unique format to tell their story and showcase what they make right here in Maine. Distributed to potential employees through trade and technical high schools, high school career counselors, universities, community colleges, career centers/associations, workforce development organizations, Mainebiz subscribers and many other targeted groups and events. Tell potential employees about the diverse career opportunities your company has to offer. FREEPORT COMMERCIAL VACANCY RATES, Q3 2012–Q2 2018 WHERE OVERNIGHT VISITORS LIKE TO SHOP IN MAINE, 2016 VS. 2017 N O T E : Percentages refl ect proportion of those who reported shopping as an interest area for their Maine trip (1,485 in 2016 and 1,464 in 2017). Outlet shopping is most popular among out-of-state visitors, especially from New England, while in-state visitors are more likely to do general shopping at malls or downtown. S O U R C E : Maine Offi ce of Tourism, Visitor Tracking Research: 2017 Calendar Year Annual Report. S O U R C E : Freeport Economic Development Corp. Outlet shopping General shopping at malls, downtown Shopping for gifts or souvenirs Shopping for unique, locally produced goods Shopping for antiques, local arts and crafts Shopping for 'Made in Maine' products 54% 52% 40% 42% 26% 22% 47% 43% 32% 32% 24% 24% 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 −2% −4% −4% +2% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q4 Q3 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Village Lower Main St. Route 1 South FREEPORT COMMERCIAL VACANCY RATES, Q3 2012–Q2 2018 Q2 2018 Total Sq. Ft Vacant Rate Village 778,129 63,189 8.12% Lower Main St. 191,918 29,867 15.56% Route 1 South 224,625 12,317 5.48% TOTAL TOWN 1,194,672 105,373 8.82%

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