I often hear millennials describe Portland as a “hipster” town.  Walk down Exchange Street in the Old Port, and no doubt, these hippie vibes come alive when you see Mexicali Blues. Their wares include clothing, jewelry, home décor, and accessories, but, I promise, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

 

Mexicali actually has two stores in the Old Port across from each other.  One focuses on jewelry, the other on clothing, but both are stocked with eccentricities.  I’ll focus on the clothing store for specifics in this post.

 

Named after the Grateful Dead song, Mexicali Blues, the store originated in Newcastle, ME out of “a love of music, a passion for travel, and a mindful devotion to fun.”  You’ll find locations in downtown Bangor and on route 302 in Raymond, but never at mainstream, corporate locations such as the Maine Mall (possibly my least favorite place in Maine to shop – support local businesses everyone!).  Grateful Dead motif doesn’t stop at the store name.  You’ll find merchandise with custom Grateful Dead logos; instead of the characteristic skull with lightweight bolt you’ll find a scull with a Maine outline.