Focus is on Maine at Red Moose Gifts in Patten

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    PATTEN — Residents or visitors who want to see a friendly moose up close don’t have to venture into the woods. They only have to go to 14 Main St. in Patten for a friendly encounter with a life-size moose in the doorway. He’s tall, imposing, quiet and doesn’t have a name. But, he’s sure to greet everyone who enters Red Moose Gifts with a friendly demeanor. And, moose of various sizes can be found throughout the store. Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
 STANDING GUARD — Red Moose Gifts has its own moose to greet visitors at the door.
    Inside, a treasure trove of antiques, gift items and Maine-themed products are on display.  Owner Rhonda Brophy has created a shop that caters to area residents and visitors with unique items from the past, souvenirs and collectibles as well as personal items like apparel and jewelry.
    Brophy said she tries to bring in locally made products as much as possible. “We have locally made jewelry, quilted wall hangings, quilted pocketbooks, maple syrup, a good selection of Maine books, giftware, soaps, candles, vases, children’s giftware-type clothing with Maine themes like moose or outdoor scenes and locally made toys.”
    An associate, Kimberly Rodriguez, brings in antiques which Brophy said are popular as Christmas items. “Customers really do buy some cups and saucers. Things like that are very popular,” Brophy explained when describing her inventory. “Decorative plates and a lot of new books focused on Maine go at this time of year as gifts — books about sporting camps and children’s books about Maine.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
PUMPED UP — An old-fashioned red Texaco gas pump could brighten up a family room for about $1,500 at Red Moose Gifts in Patten.
    A budget-conscious shopper doesn’t have to spend a small fortune for an antique, Brophy asserted. “They can pick up a nice cup and saucer, a plate or a vase probably under $50. I have new ash paddles for canoeing for $50 – $60. And, I have to tell you, I have beautiful matted color photography of nature scenes by Sherri Hart that run $20 – $25.”  
    Brophy bought the building that houses her shop about 18 months ago. She updated the building and the space for Red Moose Gifts that had been a store at one time but not used for several years. Then, she added a laundromat and an apartment overhead after a fire destroyed the building next door.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
MAINE MADE — Locally made products are an important part of the inventory says Rhonda Brophy, owner of Red Moose Gifts in Patten.
    Brophy, who is the curator administrator of the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, said she bought the building “because it was a good investment.”
    “When I’m in the shop working, I tell everybody ‘go to the museum.’ I actually hire people to work in the shop during the summer because the museum is only open seasonally — from May until October. So, I’m able to do both things. I deal a lot with tourists, vacationers and people coming through the area. I don’t know how else to say it, except that it’s important to keep things local and display what we have in this area.”
    Red Moose Gifts is open Monday – Friday, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For information, call: 528-2059.