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historical street sign in Naples, Florida under blue sky
Despite our relaxed, small-town resort lifestyle, Third Street South; and the maze of souvenir emporiums there’s nothing small about the shopping at quirky Tin City on Naples Bay. Then there are the experience along the Gulfshore. Add the 140 major department stores and shops of Coastland Mall to the additional 140 shops in the bargain-infused complex of Miromar Outlets (Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Kate Spade and the like), and you’ve already got 280 options. Still, you’re not done by a long shot. You’ve got the elegant enclaves of Mercato, Waterside Shops and The Village on Venetian Bay; the lovely boutiques, gourmet shops, restaurants and galleries along Naples’ Fifth Avenue South and shops and restaurants of Coconut Point Mall in Estero (Naples), The Bell Tower Shops and Edison Mall (Fort Myers), and scores of antique and collectibles shops and boutiques stretching from the historic Fort Myers River District to Naples’ Design District. Don’t miss the fabulous shopping on Marco, Sanibel and Captiva islands, of course, or the delightful farmers markets for your organic produce, honey, breads and pastries, and gourmet taste treats from top local chefs.
Are we up to 1,000 shops yet? Easy! And still counting...
NAPLES
BAYFRONT, on Goodlette-Frank Road at U.S. 41, (239) 649-8700. Enjoy the colorful European-style architecture while browsing the shops and galleries of this center that includes several dining options, residences and a marina. Specialty stores include Masterpiece Investments and Jennings of Naples. Restaurants include Stoney’s Steakhouse, Roy’s, Tavern on the Bay and Shane’s Cabana Bar. Other services include Robert of Philadelphia salon. bayfrontnaples.com
COASTLAND CENTER, 1900 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 262-2323. The area’s only enclosed retail center includes 150 retail stores, including well- known names such as Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and brands including G By GUESS, Abercrombie & Fitch, The Body Shop, Express and Victoria’s Secret. Dining options include Bourbon Street Grill, Calistoga Bakery Cafe, The Cheesecake Factory and an extensive food court. coastlandcenter.com
FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH, six blocks in Old Naples, (239) 692-8436. Continental ambiance offers a mix of sophisticated restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Among the retailers are Petunias of Naples, Port Royal Jewelers and Best of Everything. Fifth Avenue is home to more than 20 restaurants and sidewalk cafés, as well as the Visitor Information Center at 900 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 102. The Sugden Community Theatre is on Fifth Avenue South, and The von Liebig Art Center is just around the corner. fifthavenuesouth.com
GALLERIA SHOPPES AT VANDERBILT, Vanderbilt Beach Road at Airport- Pulling Road. Mediterranean-style shopping and dining village featuring Pei Wei Asian Diner, ZAZOU, EcoBaby & Home, The Good Life, European Wax Center and more. theshoppesatvanderbilt.com
MERCATO, U.S. 41, north of Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 254-1080. Anchored by Whole Foods Market, Naples’ newest mixed-use development also includes The Capital Grille, AZN Azian Cuizine, The Pub Naples, BRAVO! Cucina Italiana, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Blue Martini, Silverspot Cinema, Gigi’s Children’s Boutique, Pandora, Venture X, Sur La Table and Z Gallerie. mercatoshops.com
NORTH FROM OLD NAPLES ON U.S. 41 (TAMIAMI TRAIL), fine-jewelry lovers or collectors will encounter several upscale jewelry and watch retailers with buildings that resemble the jewels within. Thalheimers is at 3200 Tamiami Trail N., at U.S. 41 and Ridge Street, thalheimers.com. It offers fine Swiss watches, custom and designer jewelry and giftware. Bigham Jewelers, featuring jewelry from internationally acclaimed designers, is farther north at 2425 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 101, bighamjewelers.com. The striking Bigham building is also home to Trudy Labell Fine Art. trudylabellfineart.com
THIRD STREET SOUTH, located in the heart of Old Naples, (239) 434-6533. Featuring a collection of charming shops, the thriving Gallery Row and premier culinary finds. Shops include Marissa Collections, Tickled Pink, Gattle’s and C. Orrico—A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Shop. Restaurants include Campiello Ristorante & Bar, Sea Salt, Jane’s Café on 3rd, Ridgway Bar & Grill and Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, among others. In addition to providing a source for area information, the concierge will hold and assist with package deliveries and arrange transportation. Third Street South is also a Naples Wi-Fi hot spot, so bring your laptop. thirdstreetsouth.com
TIN CITY, on U.S. 41 at Goodlette- Frank Road, (239) 262-4200. Originally a 1920s clam-shelling and oyster-processing plant. Eclectic shops offer kitschy souvenirs, collectibles and handmade goods. Try waterfront dining at Riverwalk restaurant and Pinchers Crab Shack, or grab a bite at M&M’s Café. tin-city.com
THE VILLAGE ON VENETIAN BAY, Gulf Shore Boulevard North at Park Shore Drive, (239) 261-6100. A newly renovated waterfront village with a taste of Old Italy. Stroll by the bay and shop at more than 30 upscale specialty boutiques for men and women, including A Horse of A Different Color, Simply Natural, Wildflower and Mondo Uomo, as well as galleries, design studios and waterfront restaurants, including Café Chic, M Waterfront Grille, MiraMare Ristorante, Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, The Village Pub and a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop. venetianvillage.com
WATERSIDE SHOPS, U.S. 41 at Seagate Drive, (239) 598-1605. An outdoor shopping center set among artistically tiled fountains and anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. Home to luxury boutiques including Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Coach, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, St. John, Apple, Kate Spade New York and Calypso. Dining options include BrickTop’s restaurant, BRIO Tuscan Grille and California Pizza Kitchen. watersideshops.com
MARCO ISLAND
THE ESPLANADE, 760 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 489-3600. This shopping plaza is set upon 1,100 feet of waterfront on Smokehouse Bay and encompasses nearly 50,000 square feet of fine dining, select retailers, specialty stores and commercial offices. It also houses the 77-boat-slip Esplanade Marina and a bayside sunset amphitheater. Restaurants include CJ’s on the Bay, Chop 239 and Mango’s Dockside Bistro. theesplanade.com
MARCO TOWN CENTER MALL, North Collier Boulevard at Bald Eagle Drive. More than 40 shops, restaurants and cafes in a casual outdoor setting. Dining options include The Crazy Flamingo and Summer Day Market & Cafe, and locally owned boutiques such as La Scarpa, Periwinkles, Blue Mangrove Gallery, Georgie’s and the Shoe Resort and Sandpiper Clothiers.
BONITA SPRINGS
THE PROMENADE AT BONITA BAY, U.S. 41 and South Bay Drive, (239) 949-1573. A Mediterranean-style shopping and dining center with open-air walkways, greenery and waterfall throughout. Offers specialty shops including To the Moon, Kelly Chase Couture Bridal Boutique, John Craig, Jami’s and Children’s Couture. Dining options include Roy’s, DeRomo’s and Molino’s Ristorante. promenadeshops.com
ESTERO
COCONUT POINT, south of Corkscrew Road on U.S. 41, (239) 992-9966. Set on several acres, the shopping area is part of a 500-acre, master-planned community. Shops include J.Crew, Apple, Coach, Sephora, Gymboree, West Elm, Lucky Brand Jeans, Best Buy and more. More than 20 dining offerings include Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Ted’s Montana Grill and Blue Water Bistro. Regal Cinemas round out the experience. simon.com
MIROMAR DESIGN CENTER, 10800 Corkscrew Road, (239) 390-5111. Comprehensive resource for design professionals and consumers. More than 40 showrooms present furniture, fabrics, flooring, lighting, kitchen and bath products, art, accessories, wall coverings and much more. Design referral services, college-level courses and event facilities are available. miromardesigncenter.com
MIROMAR OUTLETS, exit 123 off I-75 at Corkscrew Road, (239) 948- 3766. An inviting Mediterranean atmosphere with covered, open-air walkways, sculpted water fountains and an abundance of casual eateries. Miromar Outlets offers an extensive selection for bargain-hunters with more than 140 outlet shops. Outlet stores include Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, BCBGMAXAZRIA Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Cole Haan, J.Crew Factory, Coach Outlet, Movado Company Store and Bose Factory Store. miromaroutlets.com
FORT MYERS
BELL TOWER SHOPS, U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, (239) 489-1221. A scenic, open-air, upscale retail center with more than 50 specialty stores, fine dining, a 20-screen movie theater and well-known hotel accommodations. Stroll through lush landscapes and enjoy special events throughout the week. Anchors include Saks Fifth Avenue and Bed Bath & Beyond. thebelltowershops.com
EDISON MALL, U.S. 41 and Colonial Boulevard, (239) 939-1933. Featuring many of the nation’s top department and specialty stores such as Macy’s, Dillard’s, Sears, JCPenney, the Disney Store, Yankee Candle, Journeys, Justice, PacSun, Bath & Body Works and Foot Locker. simon.com
GULF COAST TOWN CENTER, I-75 and Alico Road, (239) 267-5107. Lifestyle center featuring the first Bass Pro Shops to open in Southwest Florida. Shops such as JCPenney, SuperTarget, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Ron Jon Surf Shop are intermixed with restaurants including P.F. Chang’s, Miller’s Ale House, Blu Sushi and Islamorada Fish Company. Regal Cinemas 16 adds to the lively evening atmosphere. gulfcoasttowncenter.com
PARK SHOPS AT ANDREA LANE, U.S.41 and Andrea Lane. Features Vino 100, Bonefish Grill, Bradley’s Jewelers and more.
THE RIVER DISTRICT, historic down- town Fort Myers, is experiencing a resurgence of retail and commercial development with a surge in art galleries. It’s a destination for shoppers looking for the perfect gift or unique home furnishing.
TANGER OUTLET CENTER, 20350 Summerlin Road, (239) 454-1974. Stroll canopied boardwalks in a lush, tropical setting and shop more than 30 name-brand and manufacturer outlets, including Coach Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Jones New York, Reebok, Calvin Klein, Gap Outlet, Samsonite Factory Outlet and Nike Factory Store. tangeroutlet.com
SANIBEL ISLAND
PERIWINKLE PLACE is home to a restaurant, a day spa, a toy store, shops featuring unique gifts, galleries, apparel boutiques and jewelry stores. Some stores include Island Pursuit, Peach Republic and the original Chico’s. periwinkleplace.com
PERIWINKLE WAY, Sanibel’s main road, features open-air shopping perfect for casual strolling. From seashells to souvenirs and clothing to crafts, there is something for every taste.
CAPTIVA ISLAND
CHADWICK’S SQUARE, at the entrance to South Seas Island Resort on the north end of Captiva Island. Features a unique selection of specialty shops with everything from beach- wear to home furnishings, including a gallery, clothing shops and grocery.