The Big Chicken Barn: Maine's Ultimate Treasure Hunt

If you’re driving Route 1 between Bucksport and Ellsworth, you can’t miss it—even if you try. The Big Chicken Barn announces itself with signs for miles, and when you finally arrive, the building delivers on the promise: a colossal, three-story former chicken coop converted into Maine’s largest book and antique store. Inside these 21,600 square feet of weathered wood and creaking floors, you’ll find one of the great treasure hunting experiences in New England.

This isn’t a boutique antique shop with carefully curated displays and premium pricing. The Big Chicken Barn is a picker’s paradise—a labyrinthine accumulation of 150,000+ books, countless antique dealer booths, and the kind of random discoveries that make unplanned stops the best part of road trips. You might find a rare first edition, a vintage lobster buoy, a cast iron pan that’ll last another century, or something you didn’t know existed until you saw it.

Understanding the Space

The Scale

Total size: 21,600 square feet spread across multiple levels.

The experience: The building is so long that standing in one aisle, you can barely see the other end. The depths of the barn fade into shadow, inviting exploration.

Time investment: A quick lap through both floors takes 15-20 minutes. Actually browsing? Plan for an hour minimum. Book lovers and antique hunters have been known to lose entire afternoons.

The Layout

First floor: Primarily antiques, with dozens of individual dealer booths lining the aisles.

Second floor: Devoted almost entirely to books—over 150,000 volumes organized by genre and subject.

Third floor/loft areas: Additional antiques and overflow inventory, though not all areas are always accessible.

The First Floor: Antique Paradise

What You’ll Find

The ground floor operates as a massive antique mall, with individual dealers renting booth space to sell their collections. This creates incredible variety but also the chaos that makes treasure hunting fun.

Categories you’ll encounter:

Maritime and nautical:

Vintage lobster buoys (the real, weathered kind)
Ship models and nautical instruments
Old fishing gear and maritime tools
Navigation charts and coastal maps

Kitchenware and household:

Cast iron cookware
Vintage Pyrex and enamelware
Old kitchen gadgets and utensils
Antique dishware and glassware

Furniture:

Victorian and earlier pieces
Rustic Maine farmhouse furniture
Chairs, tables, and storage pieces
Prices ranging from bargain to investment

Collectibles:

Vintage signs and advertising
Old toys and games
Sports memorabilia
Political buttons and campaign items

Tools and equipment:

Antique hand tools
Farm implements
Woodworking equipment
Industrial age machinery

Miscellaneous everything:

Vintage clothing and textiles
Old photographs and postcards
Jewelry and accessories
Things that defy categorization

The Dealer Booth Model

Each section is operated by an independent dealer, which means:

Pricing varies: The same type of item might be priced very differently depending on the dealer. Shop around.

Quality varies: Some booths are curated; others are more “pile of stuff.” Both can yield finds.

Stock changes: Dealers rotate inventory regularly. What’s there this month might not be there next month.

Negotiation: Unlike chain stores, there’s sometimes room for negotiation, especially on larger purchases.

The Second Floor: Book Heaven

The Collection

The second floor is a book lover’s dream—over 150,000 books covering virtually every subject, from rare first editions to vintage paperback mysteries.

What makes it special:

Genuine depth of inventory
Surprisingly good organization despite the volume
Prices often well below retail for used books
Discoveries that online shopping can’t replicate

Organization

Despite the massive inventory, the Big Chicken Barn maintains real organization:

By genre:

Fiction (multiple sections by era and type)
Mystery and detective
Science fiction and fantasy
Romance
Classic literature

By subject:

Maine and New England history (extensive)
Maritime and nautical
Nature and outdoor
Military history
Art and photography
Religion and philosophy
Science and technology
Children’s books

Special sections:

Rare and collectible books (separate area)
First editions
Signed copies
Vintage magazines

The Hunt

Browsing strategy:

Start with your interests: Head directly to genres you collect or enjoy
Allow for serendipity: Wander into sections you might not normally visit
Check condition: Books vary from pristine to well-loved; prices should reflect condition
Look for Maine content: The local history and maritime sections are particularly strong

The Chairs

Throughout the second floor, comfortable chairs are scattered along the walls and in alcoves. These aren’t decorative—they’re invitations to sit down, open a book, and read.

The atmosphere: Creaking floorboards, natural light filtering through old windows, the smell of aged paper, and the quiet of people absorbed in books. It’s an experience that Amazon can’t replicate.

The Experience

The Atmosphere

The Big Chicken Barn hasn’t been polished or modernized. The building looks like what it is—an old agricultural structure repurposed for a second life.

What you’ll notice:

Wooden floors that creak with every step
Natural lighting supplemented by basic fixtures
The smell of old books and aged wood
Temperature that follows the seasons (see climate notes below)

The Vibe

This isn’t a curated shopping experience. It’s closer to an adventure:

Expect:

Narrow aisles requiring navigation
Items stacked, piled, and packed in
Discoveries requiring digging
Staff who know their inventory

Don’t expect:

Climate control
Consistent lighting
Clearance paths for large strollers
Every item with a clear price tag

Practical Considerations

Climate Reality

The Big Chicken Barn is not air-conditioned. This matters.

Summer: The building can get hot, especially the upper floors on sunny afternoons. Heat rises, and the loft areas can be stifling in August.

Best approach: Visit in the morning when it’s cooler.

Winter: The building has heating, but it’s a large, old structure with varying temperatures.

Best approach: Keep your coat handy as you move between areas.

Time to Visit

Minimum: 30-45 minutes for a quick look.

Comfortable browse: 1-2 hours.

Serious hunting: Half a day isn’t unreasonable.

Best timing:

Morning (cooler, less crowded)
Weekdays (quieter than weekends)
Off-season (summer brings more traffic)

What to Bring

Cash: Some dealers prefer cash, though cards are accepted at the main register.

A bag: For carrying purchases through the barn.

Patience: The inventory rewards those willing to look.

An open mind: The best finds are often things you weren’t specifically seeking.

Location and Logistics

Getting There

Address: 1768 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth, Maine

Route 1 location: Positioned perfectly for road-trippers heading to or from Acadia. It’s impossible to miss if you’re driving this stretch.

From Bar Harbor/Acadia: About 20 minutes west on Route 1.

From Bangor: About 25 minutes southeast on Route 1A/1.

Hours

Open: Seven days a week, year-round (with possible holiday exceptions).

Typical hours: 9 AM to 5 PM or similar; verify current hours.

Parking

Free parking lot on-site. Easily accommodates the traffic.

Who Should Visit

Perfect For:

Book collectors: The inventory is genuinely impressive and priced fairly.

Antique hunters: The booth model creates variety that single-dealer shops can’t match.

Treasure seekers: If you enjoy the hunt more than the specific find.

Road-trippers: An ideal break on the drive to or from Acadia.

Rainy day visitors: When Acadia weather turns bad, the barn offers shelter and entertainment.

Maine history enthusiasts: Strong collections of local books and maritime items.

Might Not Appeal To:

Those seeking climate control: The lack of AC is real.

Quick shoppers: This rewards browsing, not grabbing and going.

People who dislike clutter: The aesthetic is packed, not minimalist.

Tips for Success

Go early: Beat the heat (summer) and the crowds (any season).
Check prices across dealers: The same category of item can be priced very differently.
Look up and down: Inventory is often stacked; the best finds might not be at eye level.
Ask staff: They know the inventory and can point you toward specific interests.
Take your time: Rushing defeats the purpose.
Bring cash for bargains: Small purchases sometimes go smoother with cash.
Leave time for browsing: Don’t squeeze this between tight commitments.

The Big Chicken Barn represents a different kind of shopping—one that requires patience, rewards curiosity, and often surprises you. You might drive past a hundred exit ramps on Route 1, but this one is worth the stop. Whether you leave with a rare first edition, a vintage Maine sign, or nothing but the satisfaction of an hour spent browsing, the Big Chicken Barn delivers an experience that strip malls and online shopping simply can’t replicate.