Seeking a lamp that looks like it might have been your great-grandmother’s? Interested in antique farming equipment for your latest artwork? Need a sword for your latest thrill-seeking hobby?

Well, you might find what you need at one of the many antique stores in Western Maine.

Nearly every proprietor of the following Bethel-area antique stores said people should call before visiting, especially if coming from a distance. The reason is they work alone and sometimes need to close the shop to run an errand.

Bennett’s Antiques and Collectibles, 21 Mechanic St., Bethel, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mark Bennett ran an upholstery shop for many years at his Bethel village location before shifting his focus entirely to antiques. His three-room shop, attached to his house, features his specialties: jewelry, knives and swords, and minerals. But there’s a wide variety of other items for sale as well, including record albums and lanterns.

Bennett is friendly and often offers to tell jokes to any customer willing to listen. He said Gould Academy students stop in frequently, usually buying jewelry for their friends. In his guestbook near the door, a student drew a picture of Bennett with a speech bubble that says, ” Ask me for a joke!”

Peabody Tavern Antiques, 695 Gilead Road/Route 2, Gilead, is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call before visiting to be sure he is open: 207-836-2422.

In 1804, Gilead was known as Peabody Patent, and the building which is now Peabody Tavern Antiques, served as the town tavern. Owner Michael Kane has filled all eight rooms on the first floor with primitives and home décor, including rugs, lamps, iceboxes, crocks and primitive paintings. He carries some vintage items, but mostly, he said, it’s “100-year-old stuff, true antiques.”

Kane lives on the second floor, so he’s there most days. Shoppers can expect seasonal decorations — right now it’s scarecrows, ravens and pumpkins, with Christmas items coming out next.

Steam Mill Antiques, 155 West Bethel Road/Route 2, Bethel, is open weekends only, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 207-824-0844. June through mid-October hours are extended to include Mondays and Fridays.

Jay Boschetti’s shop needs no publicity since it has its own iconic following. Covered in signs that stand out against the white paint of the circa-1820 farmhouse and barn, the shop has been photographed and painted many times by various artists.

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I specialize in the general and generalize in the special.

Jay Boschetti of Steam Mill Antiques, Bethel

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As to what he stocks inside, the 22-year owner said, “I specialize in the general and generalize in the special.” He has a library of books — many related to Maine — along with other local items. He also sells jewelry, furniture and signs, he said.

Lyon’s Den Antiques, 2034 Main St., Hanover. It is closed for the winter and will reopen weekends starting Memorial Day 2026. After school closes next June, they will open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Best to call first: 207-836-2120.

Nancy Lyons and her daughter Lynne are the proprietors.

Nancy and her husband, Elmer, started in Woodstock 61 years ago and moved the business to Hanover in 1971. Like Lynne, both parents were school teachers. At one time, there were three antique stores in Hanover, but they never competed with each other, Lynne said. In fact, they often directed customers to the others. “Go up the road — there’s another one a mile up,” they would say.

The unheated 1817 barn is enormous — 8,800 square feet. The second floor is filled with chairs, rockers, bureaus and beds. Tools, glassware, books and “lots of everything” fill the rest of the space.

The Rusty Cobweb, 130 Gilead Road/Route 2, Gilead, is open by chance or by appointment. Call 207-836-2120.

After 50 years in the antiques business, Wes Knightly said he’s gradually stepping away from it. He no longer keeps regular hours but is willing to meet with interested customers. These days, he mostly sells parts and pieces that metal sculptors repurpose in their work.

“Years ago, manufacturers would compete with other manufacturers by how fine they could make something — how interesting or how much design went into it. Like wood turnings and fluted legs,” he said. “People that come to the shop like this stuff; we have a lot of fun together.”