About a thousand years ago I was walking down Market St by Post Office Park in Portland and stopped into a store called Grampa's Garden. I bought a Thera Pac in black watch flannel/navy fleece; it sat along the back of my neck, my upper back, and draped partially down along my shoulders. It smelled like oatmeal and cinnamon - so comforting! I would heat it up, and it would provide weight and warmth, and felt like a bit of a hug. I would frequently rest it on my belly like a curled up cat during the winter months. Fast forward many, many, mannnnnnnnnnnnnny years later and I must have left in the microwave too long - when I pulled it out, it was smoking and smelled like burned popcorn. I wondered if Grampa's Garden still existed (their store in Portland and closed ages ago) and was delighted to find that I could order their stuff online. I didn't, because things were a bit more expensive then I remembered (and probably more expensive than it was originally in thr the 90's), but I put it on my mental wish list. Having experienced first hand its quality and durability I knew I'd want to replace it at some point.
Walking through the Tontine Mall this week and what do I see? A NEW GRAMPA'S GARDEN STOREFRONT. I leaped through the front door and totally fangirled out - "I know your stuff! I bought this amazing neck thing in Portland a really long time ago!!!" The lovely woman (friend of the owner) geeked out with me, and much to my delight I found out that they still make that same lovely smelling Thera Pac in black watch flannel/navy fleece. Did I get it?
No. Because I ended up sitting in this swinging chair in the middle of their store and experiencing a weighted blanket for the first time in my life - I walked away with a 15lb navy colored one. Total splurge purchase, but I regret nothing. Who says adults can't have blankies, eh? Now I just need that swinging chair in my house and I'll probably never go outside again.
The store itself has A LOT going on - on their website I read that they call it their Sensory Adventure Spa. I couldn't agree more; there's so much to experience-before-you-buy here.
So happy to see such a wonderful Maine business make it through many different decades. Lifelong fan here, friends! read more