Kimball Shop in Northeast Harbor
When Wildes Ho stepped into her role at the Kimball Shop, she became the newest generation to carry forward a business that has been part of Northeast Harbor for more than a century. Originally opened by her great, great aunt, the shop was transformed by Wildes’ grandmother, Nancy Ho, who took it over and ran it on her own for more than 50 years. Nancy shifted the store’s focus from antiques and curiosities to high-end home goods, building relationships with the iconic brands that still line the shelves today. Her steady hand and vision built the legacy that Wildes is now stepping into.
Born in 1996 and straddling the millennial and Gen Z divide, Wildes brings a fresh perspective to that foundation. “I’ve always loved to cook, so the kitchen department excites me,” she says, gesturing toward shelves stocked with gleaming pots, pans, and specialty tools. But linens are where her vision has especially come to life. She recently redesigned the layout of the shop to feature brands like John Robshaw, Dash & Albert, Matouk, and Sferra more prominently. “Good linens make a difference, and I wanted to showcase them in a way that feels timeless but also fresh for younger customers.”
What the Kimball Shop is most famous for, Wildes notes, is its endurance. Few businesses have weathered more than 100 years in a seasonal coastal town, especially one that carries such an extensive inventory of high-end goods. Customers walk through the door and marvel: Shops like this don’t exist anymore. In an era where family-owned stores are increasingly rare, the Kimball Shop stands as a holdout, carefully balancing heritage with a willingness to evolve.
That commitment extends to the local community. Every staff member is from Mount Desert Island, including a pair of sisters, a mother and daughter, and others who grew up visiting the shop before working there. “It’s still very hands-on ownership,” Wildes explains. “I’m on the floor every day, and the people you see in the store are the ones keeping it running. There’s no corporate arm behind us. It’s just us.”
For locals, Wildes is eager to spread the word that the Kimball Shop is more approachable than many assume. Yes, the front room is filled with fine china, a nod to tradition, but tucked beyond are art supplies, stationery, Jellycat toys, soaps, and gifts for every stage of life. For visitors, she wants to underline that the Kimball Shop is one-of-a-kind. “We only have one location. People think we’re a chain, but we’re not. This is it.”
Through her leadership, Wildes is continuing the shop’s long-standing reputation for excellence while carving space for a new generation of customers. It’s a balancing act ~ honoring the past, adapting for the future ~ and one she seems perfectly poised to steward.
FAMOUS FOR:
High-quality home goods that last a lifetime.
ADDRESS:
135 Main St in Northeast Harbor, ME
WEBSITE:
kimballshop.com
photos: Peter Logue
