The LL Bean Headquarters store was another place that we had been told we should visit when we got to Maine. It was fairly close to our route, though I think we went slightly north to hit the store and then drove a couple miles south to get to our hotel for the night. The store is massive and certainly very interesting.
The store was actually started in 1911 when founder Leon Leonwood Bean (I can see why he went by LL Bean) "...returned from a hunting trip with cold, damp feet and a revolutionary idea. By combining leather uppers with rubber bottoms, he created an innovative boot that changed footwear forever."
A massive version of the famous boot is located outside the store and proves to be a popular place to pose for photos.
There is a fish pool inside the store.
This pseudo-rocky outcropping is located in the shoe section of the store and is meant to be used to test boots, but a number of kids including ours thought it was a great playground.
One large wall contains images of covers from the LL Bean catalogs over the years.
There was even a nice sitting area located next to a fireplace.
This model shows what the factory and showroom looked like in the 1930s.
I always enjoy stores with taxidermy displays.
The fish tank was also popular.
And what would a Maine store be without a moose? Sadly this was the closest we got to a moose during our time in Maine--we never did see a live one.
Small critters weren't neglected as you can see from these beavers and porcupines.
A series of display cases were also visible displaying some historic artifacts.
Outside was a gorgeous water display that we saw just as we were leaving the store.
You'll find all of these photos and a few more in this album.
~Matt
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