Shopping & Style


Insider’s Guide: Shopping

Whether you want to shop local boutique or brand name, the Gulfshore has it all.

BY December 9, 2013

 

“An attractive look is defined not so much by the label or the price tag as by proper fit, flattering colors and the confidence with which we wear our clothes. Here on the Gulfshore, we have endless resources in designer boutiques, department stores, outlet malls and even consignment shops, and as a professional image consultant, I move easily among them to help define and refine my clients’ personal style. With the diversity of wonderful shoe salons, jewelry and accessory stores to complete the wardrobe, we truly can shop till we drop, and start over the next day!”

—TAMRA NASHMAN, OWNER, EXTRA-ORDINARY IMAGE

 

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 well-known names such as Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears and more than 150 specialty stores, including G By Guess, Abercrombie & Fitch, The Body Shop, Gap, 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) 435-3742. Continental ambience offers a mix of sophisticated restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Among the retailers are Petunias, Port Royal Jewelers, Best of Everything and Abbott’s Frozen Custard. Fifth Avenue is home to more than 20 restaurants and sidewalk cafés, as well as the Downtown Naples Information Center at 900 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 103. The Sugden Community Theatre is on Fifth, and The von Liebig Art Center is just around the corner. fifthavenuesouth.com

MERCATO, U.S. 41, north of Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 254-1080. Anchored by Whole Foods, Naples’ newest mixed-use development also includes The Capital Grille, AZN Restaurant, The Pub, Bravo! Cucina Italiana, McCormick & Schmick’s, 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, Lladro gallery and other giftware. Bigham Jewelers, featuring jewelry from internationally acclaimed designers, is farther north at 2425 Tamiami Trail N., bighamjewelers.com. The striking Bigham building is also home to Trudy Labell Fine Art. trudylabellfineart.com

SHOPPES AT VANDERBILT, Vanderbilt Beach Road at Airport-Pulling Road. Mediterranean-style shopping and dining village featuring Pei Wei Asian Diner, Elements Therapeutic Massage, Zazou, Absinthe Restaurant, The Mommy Shop, The Good Life, Pizzaiolos, European Wax Center and more. shopvanderbilt.com

THIRD STREET SOUTH AND THE AVENUES, located in the heart of Old Naples, (239) 434-6533. Featuring a collection of more than 100 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, Sea Salt, Handsome Harry’s, Jane’s, Ridgway Bar & Grill and Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe, 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. More than 30 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

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 50 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, 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, Hermès, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, St. John, Apple, Kate Spade and Calypso. Dining options include BrickTop’s Restaurant, Brio Tuscan Grille and California Pizza Kitchen. watersideshops.com

 

MARCO ISLAND

ESPLANADE, 760 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 394-6333. 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, Tara Steak and Lobster House, and Mango’s Dockside Bistro. esplanadeshoppes.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 and Café, and locally owned boutiques such as La Scarpa, Periwinkles, Blue Mangrove Gallery, Georgie’s and Sandpiper Clothiers.

 

ESTERO

COCONUT POINT, south of Corkscrew Road on U.S. 41, (239) 992-9966. Set on seven 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 25 dining offerings include the Grape Base, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Ted’s Montana Grill and Blue Water Bistro. Hollywood Theaters 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 offers an extensive selection for bargain hunters with more than 140 outlet shops. Factory stores include Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Off Fifth, Polo Ralph Lauren, BCBG Max Azria, Banana Republic, Cole Haan, J.Crew, Coach, Movado and Bose. miromaroutlets.com

 

FORT MYERS

BELL TOWER SHOPS, U.S. 41 and Daniels Parkway, (239) 489-1221. A scenic, open-air, upscale retail center with 40 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, Journey’s, Justice, PacSun, Bath & Body Works and Foot Locker. simon.com

GULF COAST TOWN CENTER, I-75 and Alico Road, (239) 267-0783. 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 PF 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, Andrea Lane and U.S. 41. Features Vino 100, Bonefish Grill, Bradley’s Jewelers and more.

THE RIVER DISTRICT, historic downtown 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 45 name-brand and manufacturer outlets, including Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Jones New York, Reebok, Calvin Klein, Gap, Samsonite and Nike. tangeroutlet.com

 

SANIBEL ISLAND

PERIWINKLE PLACE is home to restaurants, 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 Resort on the north end of Captiva Island. Features a unique selection of specialty shops with everything from beachwear to home furnishings, including a pizzeria, gallery, jeweler, florist, clothing shops, antique dealers, grocery and beauty salon.

 

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