There's new antique shop in town. But these aren't just any old antiques. Most of the items in Gene Damon and Shawn Riley's new store have a nautical theme. Hence the name: Nauticalia.

The small building has belonged to Damon since around 2013, when it was being auctioned. Damon said he had no intention of buying it at the time, but put in a bid anyway, and won.

He renovated it and leased it out over several years to different small businesses, mainly art galleries. Then when the last renter moved out, Damon and Riley decided to open their own business there.

The partners had an antique shop in Wiscasset, and have moved the items from that shop, along with a lot of other interesting collectibles, to the new one in Boothbay Harbor, at 10 McKown Street, between Goobies and Abacus.

Among the many unusual items in the shop is an array of colorful wood lobster buoys. They bring to mind a bygone era of lobstermen hauling their traps by hand from much smaller boats than the ones you see these days, using hydraulic haulers. The old hand carved wood buoys have been replaced with molded PVC ones.

The shop also features a large number of Japanese glass fishing floats, which have become a popular collector's item. The glass floats, most still in their original netting, were used by fishermen to keep their nets afloat.

Tucked in a corner is a large red or cranberry-hued one, and according to Damon while most of these are blue-ish in color, a red one is rare.

There are lots of other fascinating items in Nauticalia. Authentic wood ships wheels, or helms, most from Maine vessels, rest against the walls, alongside huge bronze ship's propellers and ships' lanterns.

There are glass cases featuring antique sterling silver jewelry, and in one case, five Elsa Peretti belts. These belts, made exclusively for Tiffany, are a rare find in these parts, and worth a trip in to Nauticalia to see.

Another rarity is the large weeping Buddha on the floor next to the case with the belts.

Carved from an exotic wood, the statue depicts the story of two warriors who fought several battles, always wearing masks so they didn't know each others' identities. The younger warrior was eventually killed, and when his mask was removed, the other discovered it was his son. The older warrior began to cry, and he became known as the weeping Buddha. It is believed that the weeping Buddha absorbs the grief of the world, and provides peace and strength to those who rub his back.

This one's back is as smooth as glass.

If you have questions about any of the shop's inventory, call Damon at 207-380-6400.