The L.L. Bean Flagship Store Experience | Freeport, Maine
With 3 million visitors each year, the flagship L.L. Bean Freeport, Maine, store is arguably the town’s largest attraction, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
By Aimee Tucker|Jan 07 2022|
Whether it’s new slippers, sweaters, or a duck decoy you just need to have at 2:30 a.m. in Freeport, Maine, well … you’re in luck. The local L.L. Bean is ready and open for business. Never been to the L.L. Bean flagship store? Allow us to take you on a tour.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Note: Our visit was in 2014, so things may look a bit different now!
L.L. Bean was founded in 1912 by avid outdoorsman Leon Leonwood Bean as a quality retailer of recreational outdoor boots and outdoor gear, and has grown significantly over the years. Today it operates a thriving catalog, online, and retail presence, still adhering to the brand’s dedication to quality, customer service, and a love of the outdoors. This, coupled with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and recent free shipping policy, has earned “Bean’s” a loyal legion of fans not just in Maine and New England, but throughout the world.
The L.L. Bean Freeport flagship store opened in 1917 (they went 24/7 in 1951), and is one of four L.L. Bean stores in Freeport (the company’s Home, Outlet, and Bike, Boat & Ski stores respectively have their own buildings), making the area an unofficial L.L. Bean campus, complete with a 16.5-foot tall all-weather Bean boot for a mascot. Don’t forget to take a photo with it on the southwest side of the main building.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Here’s a little trivia—L.L. Bean says that if the boot was a real boot, its size would be 410. That’s pretty big…
Inside the L.L. Bean Freeport store (there are several levels), signs lead the way to different departments—from Camping, Hunting, and Fishing to Pet Supplies, Kids, Apparel, and entire walls dedicated to boots and slippers.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Love L.L. Bean’s signature totes? They’ve got ’em here in every color (not just red). Need some rain boots? No problem.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
How about a polka dot bathing suit or some snuggly slippers? Ayuh.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Or maybe a sleeping bag? How about a Magnum Honker (“offers deeper and goosier tones”) for your next goose hunting trip? Sure thing.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Camo “big game hunting” bib overalls and a retro-inspired Coleman cooler? You can get those here.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Fancy a new fishing rod or sturdy carrying case? Maybe a cheery red knit cardigan? Yup.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
While L.L. Bean is especially known for its outerwear and comfortable, casual sportswear, my favorite section (besides the totes—I am a sucker for the medium, long-handled, no-zip totes) is actually the L.L. Bean Signature Collection—a preppy line launched in 2010 featuring updated prints, modern lines, and a more tailored fit.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
While you’re shopping, watch out for the indoor trout pond (but keep your pennies in your pockets—those fish inside are real!).
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And if you’re not shopping for clothes or gear, there’s still plenty to peruse in the souvenir and gift displays throughout the store. Here, they’ve made good use of a canoe to house a trove of wares.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Scented balsam pillows (there are lobster ones with “Maine” on them, too), iced Bean Boot cookies, pure maple syrup, lobster pots, L.L. Bean editions of Monopoly, cookbooks, gummy lobsters .. the list goes on and on, proving that at L.L. Bean, there really is something for everyone.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Even those with no money to spend won’t leave the Freeport store with nothing. Taxidermied animals are positioned throughout the store for your educational entertainment.
Mounted on walls…
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Positioned in thoughtful groups…
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And in the case of The Locked Moose of New Sweden, Maine, magnificently on display.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
One of only two like it in North America, “The Final Charge” depicts two Bull Moose in battle, their antlers locked. As the accompanying sign explains, the antlers were found on the property of a New Sweden resident in 2006, still locked together from the previous fall when the pair had perished. The resident donated them to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, still locked together, which then contacted L.L. Bean with the idea of re-imagining and displaying the “final battle” at the store. It’s truly something to see, and I’m only sorry that I couldn’t get a better photo—the display has a window on the other side for folks looking in from the outside, and the sunlight coming in made it hard to photograph. You’ll just have to see it in person!
If fish are your thing, in addition to the enormous Fishing department, you’ll want to check out the 3,500-gallon, 24-foot long Riverbed Aquarium near the main entrance, where rainbow, brown and brook trout and landlocked salmon swim by in muted, yet still brilliant, color. All of the fish come from Maine state hatcheries approved by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Examples of Bean’s century of history are also on display throughout the store, making it feel at times like a mini-museum. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 and is rightly proud of its longstanding role in encouraging us to enjoy the many facets of the great outdoors.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And if you’re really pooped and need a coffee, snack, or even a meal (like I did), the in-store 1912 Cafe is at your service [NOW CLOSED]. The Mediterranean salad and root beer from Captain Eli’s Natural Maine Soda were just the thing to fuel me for the second leg of my journey home to Manchester, New Hampshire.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
In fact, sitting and relaxing is something they encourage in a few other spots while you flip through a guidebook or two. That is … if you don’t mind a little moose supervision.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And finally, if you like some fresh air with your sitting, there are free horse-drawn wagon rides outside.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
This is only some of what you’ll see at the L.L. Bean Freeport store. What did I miss? What L.L. Bean item is your all-time favorite?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
You may also like…
The Ultimate Guide to Freeport, Maine | Shopping & Exploring
Freeport, Maine | Shopping & Exploring
New England Landmarks | Only in New England
I consider myself to be among the proudest of Mainers, and even I have never successfully executed such a thorough LL Bean outing. Good show!
I have goatskin bomber jacket with sheepsking shearling, gloves with shearling too, which are perfect and also navy sweater with patches, best buys ever and this stuff is made to outlive the owner.
After reading this I need to make a trip up there real soon. Great job!!!
Love L.L.Bean.I’ve made the trip from my home in Ohio to Freeport Maine twice just to visit the flagship store,and I will make many more.it is a sight to see.it’s my version of Disney world. 🙂
Having been a resident of No. Conway, N.H., I have made many trips to the flagship store in Freeport, Me. Every trip is new and exciting. They sell only the absolute top products. I love the fact that I can buy anything today and if it fails 10 yrs. from now, L.L. Bean stands by it.
Always & forever,
An extremely satisfied customer ! !
P.S.
I live in Tampa, Fl now and I still shop L.L.Bean first..
I bought a pair of L.L.Bean boots in 1972 or ’73. They have had their soles redone once. They’re still in GREAT shape. I even wore them today, while it was snowing. I love them!
Dose Sears carry any of your clothing items?
Since Sears has gone belly-up, they don’t carry anything, any more.
Was there today, disappointed to find most items made in China, what happened to America made.
I wrote to the President of L. L. Bean about eight years ago, I would always get
their quarterly well done catalog and took note in the description of the products the mentioning and the word imported. I wrote to the company and nicely wrote how nice it would be to have some of their products manufactured here in the
United States. I did get a letter from the President of L. L. Beam explaining that
this is what their customer preferred as to how L. L. Beam merchandised. With that L. L. Beam took me off their mailing list and L. L. Beam never ever sent me any further advertisement catalogs. I was disappointed to be taken off their gift of advertising, in my correspondence I also made mention of a find shirt manufacturer from Maine, Hathaway Shirt Company, what beautiful shirts Hathaway made, they always felt so good when you wore them and they lasted so long and there was no shirt made like Hathaway, made in Maine. Thank you for your kind thought about wonderful products being made here, may God Bless America. Sincerely, George Singletary
I’m a regular catalogue customer, but haven’t been in the store for more than 45 years! There is still nothing better than getting an LLBean package in the mail!
My fathers’ family was from the Augusta, Maine area and my fathers’ father shopped at L.L. Bean, probably one of the “middle of the night” customers because he didn’t sleep well! “Grampy” was an avid fly fisherman (despite the vicious mosquitos!) and I was given his L.L. Bean fishing creel and a frog harness, also purchased at L.L. Bean. I also have a very old picnic set that is really something. That must have come from there, also! Grampy was born in 1889, so he was a young man in 1912 when that store was opened in Freeport. My husband and I always enjoyed the Freeport store and it was pretty “primitive” the last time we went there together many years ago compared to what it is like now! I’ve been to the N. Conway, NH outlet, an outlet of theirs in Bedford, NH and their Dedham and Mansfield, MA stores. Always fun going to any of them!!!!!!!
The best part of shopping after midnight is the crowds of people has begun to subside so you have a chance to speak to the outfitters. The hectic daytime vibe tones down to relaxation and it is way easier to be able to examine the products. The BEST time to shop!
I’ve only been to the flag ship once but loved every second. I shop by catalogue living in ontario. You have no idea how excited I am you are opening a store in Oakville. I live 40 minutes from the mall. !!!
We visited the Freeport store once about 30 years ago. My husband bought his LL Bean boots which he is still wearing. I was delighted when a store opened in Marlton, NJ, just 45 minutes away from our home. I am a walking Bean catalog. Right now I am wearing Bean jeans, shirt, fleece, slippers and socks!
Retired to S. Carolina to warmer climate. Miss our trips to Freeport store from Newburyport Ma. Love your diversified inventory.
My husband and I visited the LL Bean store in October. We are from Australia and travelled to New England to see the beautiful leaves. We stumbled upon the beautiful township of Freeport and also the LL Bean store. I have to say I found the interior absolutely gorgeous, the clothing superb but one thing that did bother me was the space given over to the killing of animals. Totally unnecessary and it is a shame such a lovely store supports the death of animals as a sport and pastime.
I agree. I know hunting and fishing are huge in New England, but I do hope that animals mounted in the store died from accidents.
My son lives in Portland. Every time I visit from West Chester PA I make sure u visit the L.L. Bean store . Always find something I can use. Great store and great employees
Our family travelled from Massachusetts to our family homestead in Brooklin, Maine every summer, We occasionally drove at night, which was a special treat because we got to stop at the old LLBean store, creaky wooden floor and all, and explore all the wonderful things inside.. It was always a treat staying up so late. I have not been there for at least six decades, but it looks very much as I remember. I want to stop there again!
I love LLBean and order from them regularly, and I am always pleased by their quality.
I live in Michigan and no LL Bean stores that I know of here. Can I get a catalog for ordering? Pls answer by e-mail. Tks.
Why does this entire page talk about the wonders of the Freeport Flagship Store and give NO ADDRESS????? Am I supposed to be psychic? There are 6 stores in the area. I’m from out of state. Do I guess which one? Or do I drive around town asking?
Hi Susan. It’s the Flagship store in Freeport (the others are home, outlet, or outdoor activity-specific) and the address is 95 Main Street. Just look for the big boot, and happy shopping.
Nothing was open late at night in the Boston area in the 70’s 80’s, so my brother and I would head to Freeport to go to LL Bean. We’d head out around 2AM and stay until after breakfast .
I use to live in Freeport (1974) right down the street from LL Bean. Freeport has changed drastically since I lived there and the LL Bean store has changed also and is much larger and more modern than it use to be. There use to be only a bank and restaurant and a funeral home in town when we lived there. There was a restaurant next to LL Bean that made the best Italian sandwiches. I love Maine and my folks came from there and we spent time every summer up there. I haven’t been back up since the 1970’s but hope to get back up there some time in the future.
Where are the locked forever moose, last time I was at llbeans it was I’m the window.