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| Shopping Karen T. Bartlett and Nisha Barlow |
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Whether you’re on a quest for the ultimate built-to-order mega-yacht, a great pair of shorts or the perfect hostess gift, our seaside shopping mecca awaits your discovery.
There are chic boutiques and glamorous jewelry stores; quaint antique emporiums, sprawling outlet malls and upscale consignment shops. From high-tech to high-style—you’ll find it all sprinkled along palm-lined avenues and in glamorous Mediterranean-style shopping enclaves defined by arches and statuary, fountains and bougainvillea-draped courtyards. New on the landscape, conveniently located between Fort Myers and Naples, is the huge Coconut Point Mall, part of a 500-acre master-planned development (do plan several hours to see it all) and Gulf Coast Town Center with 120 great stores. Naples’ sophisticated Waterside Shops, with retailers and labels straight from the fashion capitals of the world, is the place to see and be seen. NAPLES 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 Femme Fatale, Marissa Collections and C. Orrico. Restaurants include Campiello Ristorante, Handsome Harry’s and Tommy Bahama, among others. A concierge will direct you to your favorite shop, and it’s Naples’ first WiFi hot spot, so bring along your laptop. Laptops available for use at the concierge. www.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 Fish & Ale House and Pier 41, or grab a quick bite at Café Europa, a fixture in Tin-City for decades. www.tin-city.com. Bayfront on Goodlette-Frank Road at U.S. 41, (239) 649-8700. Enjoy the European-style architecture while browsing the shops and galleries of this center that includes several dining options, residences and a marina. Specialty stores include Atelier Lizio Naples, Blue Diamond Jewelers, Bayfront Boutique, Chrissy’s at Bayfront, Jennings of Naples and The Weatherburn Gallery. Restaurants include Il Bellagio, Shane’s Cabana Bar, South Florida Yacht Sales, Stoney’s Steakhouse and Roy’s. www.bayfrontnaples.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 located at 3200 Tamiami Trail N. at U.S. 41 and Ridge Street, www.thalheimers.com. 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., www.bighamjewelers.com. The striking Bigham building is also home to Trudy Labell Fine Art and Eyetopian Optical. Village on Venetian Bay, Gulf Shore Boulevard at Park Shore Drive, (239) 261-6100. A 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 Artichoke & Co., A Horse of a Different Color, The Paper Merchant, Ocean Leather, Wildflower, The Village Pub and Mondo Uomo, as well as galleries, design studios and five waterfront restaurants, including Cloyde’s Steak and Lobster, Marie-Michelle’s, Maxwells on the Bay and a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop. www.venetianvillage.com. Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay, U.S. 41 at Seagate Drive, (239) 598-1605. An outdoor shopping center anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Home to luxury boutiques including Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Gucci, Coach, Hermès, Ralph Lauren, BCBG Max Azria, Swarovski and J.Crew-at-the-beach. Dining options include BrickTop’s Restaurant, Brio Tuscan Grille, California Pizza Kitchen and the Silver Spoon Café. Features a multi-story covered parking structure, and Nordstrom is expected to open in 2008. www.watersideshops.com. MARCO ISLAND BONITA SPRINGS ESTERO Miromar Outlets, exit 123 off I-75 at Corkscrew Road, (239) 948-3766. An inviting Mediterranean atmosphere with 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 to choose from. Factory stores include Saks Off Fifth, Escada, Polo Ralph Lauren, BCBG Max Azria, Banana Republic, Cole Haan, J.Crew, Coach, Villeroy & Boch, Crabtree & Evelyn and Tommy Hilfiger. www.miromar.com. International Design Center, 10801 Corkscrew Road, (239) 390-5111. For the interior designer and the interior design lover; home furnishings and accessories in one 250,000-square-foot location. There are 145 top lines showcasing fabrics, lighting, wall coverings, art, antiques, kitchen and bath for both residential and commercial clients. IDC also offers group tours, a concierge service desk, valet parking, gourmet bistro and seminar room. www.idcfl.com. FORT MYERS Bell Tower Shops, U.S. 41 and Daniels Road, (239) 489-1221. A scenic open-air shopping center with 50 specialty stores, 10 restaurants and a 20-screen movie theater. Stroll through lush landscapes and enjoy "Friday’s by the Fountain" concerts. Saks Fifth Avenue and Bed Bath & Beyond anchor this upscale retail center with fine dining. www.thebelltowershops.com. Gulf Coast Town Center, I-75 and Alico Road. Newly expanded lifestyle center featuring the first Bass Pro Shops to open in Southwest Florida, Belk’s, JC Penney, SuperTarget, Babies ‘R’ Us, Borders, Regal Cinemas, an assortment of new restaurants and lively evening atmosphere. Tanger Outlet Center, 20350 Summerlin Road, (239) 454-1974. Stroll canopied boardwalks in a plush, tropical setting and shop more than 45 name-brand and manufacturer outlets, including Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ellen Tracy, Easy Spirit, Liz Claiborne, Mikasa, Jones New York, Reebok, Calvin Klein, Gap, Samsonite and Nike. www.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. www.periwinkleplace.com. CAPTIVA ISLAND |
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