Folly 101

Reading the low-​star reviews of Folly 101, I can’t imagine how they’re real. My husband and I came here during a weekend visit to Portland. While roaming around the city, I couldn’t help but noticed the adorable items in the window, so we stopped in.
We browsed around for 15+ minutes, while also chatting with the owner and her staff member that was working. They were both very friendly, had some great recommendations on places to eat, and were an overall delight.
The selection is a mix of European and Scanidivian style and origin (right up my Swedish-​German alley). I found many things that I’d love to buy once my husband and I move to Portland in a few years. We found a few gifts for family and a few things for ourselves. I wish the prices were a bit lower, but given the observable quality of the goods they sell, it’s worth the price.

Too full from brunch? Why not stroll into Folly 101, because that’s exactly what we did. This is the cutest store and a great spot to buy gifts for your loved ones. I’m not sure what Folly 101 sells in the other months, but currently they are all about the holiday season. I purchased a small and very cute wooden tree along with colorful ornaments to go with it. The store is carefully curated with random things and the presentation is really quite lovely. Actually, quaint would be a better descriptor. It is a tad overpriced but then again, you are supporting a local business so that’s always a plus.
I did not have any problems with the staff unlike the other reviews. They even offered free gift wrapping. I would come back for some miscellaneous purchases.

UNBELIEVABLE this needs a negative 5 stars. While carrying around an overpriced bracelet I planned to purchase for my mother’s birthday, I got a phone call, and proceeded to have a casual, normal decibel level conversation on my phone with my sister. I had been on the phone for literally 2 mins and was asked to, «take my conversation outside…» And she was serious… I was shocked, I quickly put the bracelet back and walked right out real quick. UNREAL. Are people not allowed to talk to one another in your RETAIL store? Is this a library? You’re CRAZY lady, and just lost a sale and PLENTY of additional sales. It’s no wonder I NEVER hear about your store and had lived in Greater Portland my whole life and never once heard about you… how your are still in business is beyond me. I literally can’t wait to tell EVERYONE not to go to your store.
I’m going to K. Collette.

A cute little shabby chic shop with cottagy décor and accouterments, some books and whimsical stuff. I tried to get a photo of the shop, but the owner stormed over and bullishly demanded to know why I was taking a picture.
It’s America, and I can do that if I wish. Maybe there’s a rule in Portland that I wasn’t aware of. Hmm. If I go back here, I’ll hide my phone.
Or maybe I just won’t go back.
Yep, that sounds good.

My mother loves this store for some reason so I recently went in to purchase her a Christmas present. As soon as I walked in I felt as though all of the sales women were judging me and when they spoke to me they seemed very pretentious and snooty. They have some lovely stock but a bit overpriced considering you could most likely get it elsewhere. Despite all of this, I ended up buying my mother something simply because I knew she would love it but I would not recommend this store.

This is a tough review to write.
My husband and I were in Portland for the weekend and I had read about Folly 101 on a blog. The review of the products as well as the photos sounded great. So, off we went, determined to include it in our weekend of boutique hopping.
While we were in Portland, I decided I get some information on shops that I might want to cover on my new blog. I thought the nicely presented array of housewares, jewelry and nursery items might be perfect. I nicely asked the older woman in the shop if she’d mind if I grabbed some photos for a blog. She didn’t want me to do that. Saying «no» is fine and anyone who approaches another person about photos or coverage in a blog needs to be prepared to be told that the party is uninterested. But she was entirely awkward and snooty about it.
Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. From that point forward, she watched my husband and I like we were shoplifters. We were actually shopping! She was unbelievably obvious about it, a complete snob, and I’m really just not sure why she’s in a customer service centric business because clearly, she’s incapable of being appropriate with people. What a shame!
As for the products, as someone stated, nothing is all that unique. You can find just about everything somewhere else and maybe for less money, but their presentation is really quite lovely. It’s a shame her personality isn’t.
So, would I go back? Unlikely. I’d rather skip over to somewhere like Blanche & Mimi and know that I’m going to be treated well than to deal with that nonsense.
Also? It was really shocking to run into a personality like that because I’ve always found the folks in Portland to be so pleasant and accommodating.
There’s always one bad apple, isn’t there?

A cute housewares/​gift type store. Nothing too special but I did manage to find a beautiful soap dish that will look great in my new bathroom. Ladies were unfriendly until the very end when we got to chatting. Wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but a nice spot to stop in Portland.

Folly 101 is refreshing and each piece is chosen carefully; the shop has those perfect finds you need for yourself or gifts. Best of boutique items you covet when you go to NYC or Boston, but right in the middle of Portland, Maine. SHOP HERE!

Fine products, although it seems the stock doesn’t change much. Sometimes it’s nice to know that I can go get the same soap I really loved that I bought there a year ago… sometimes it seems lame.
The staff can run hot or cold, too. Sometimes they’re really friendly (if they aren’t too busy, or if you seem like you might spend $$) but sometimes they want nothing to do with you.
And having a job in retail, I am terribly aware of their ridiculous mark-​up. But, if they can have people (suckers like myself) spend twelve dollars on two of the TINIEST, and I mean TINIEST, salt and pepper shakers shaped like birds, then good for them.