While away a whole day on charming St. Armands Circle.
Imagine Fifth Avenue lined with restored Mediterranean homes and palm trees and you've got downtown's historic Herald Square. Sarasota’s shoppers are just as fashion-savvy and in-the-know as those pounding the pavement in Manhattan and you’ll find many of them here. Hot and hip, this shopping, dining and strolling district is bordered by Pineapple Avenue, Orange Avenue and State Street. Pick up anything from retro fashions and '60s furniture to haute couture and fine art along your way before meandering down to Main Street to peruse the new fashion boutiques popping up left and right. You’ll find stores and galleries dotted along Main all the way up to the marina.
Elegant statues, coconut palms, exclusive shops and fine restaurants line the boulevards of St. Armand’s Circle. This world-renowned, European-flavored area is perched at the entrance to Lido Key across Sarasota Bay, west of downtown Sarasota. Whether you’re in the market for a Lilly Pulitzer sundress to wear to Lido Beach, an elegant piece from White House Black Market, or a goofy hat from Jamaican Me Crazy, you’ll find what you’re looking for in one of the hundreds of upscale shops, boutiques, and galleries. Find fine fashions at shops with catchy names like Oh My Gauze! and Dream Weaver before dining at Columbia or at Crab and Fin, where fresh seafood is accompanied by live piano music and opportunities for people-watching.
Old-fashioned lampposts line Hillview Street and Osprey Avenue, draped with banners that read "Southside Village." With moms pushing strollers, friends sitting at outdoor cafés, couples walking hand-in-hand, and even well-coifed pooches strutting alongside look-alike owners, there's no mistaking this neighborhood. It's a jumble of quaint cafés, specialty boutiques and upscale salons. At Morton's Market, the butchers, the bakers and the hot meals-to-go makers never cease to please the palate. Take a break at Village Bikes, a gourmet coffee shop, full-service bike shop, and social gathering spot for the athletically inclined. For fashions worth repeating, visit Past Passions, a lovely little consignment shop in the area.
There are many consignment shops throughout Sarasota. The Women's Exchange on nearby Orange Avenue is one of the largest. It features quality merchandise including art and antiques, furniture, clothing, fine china, crystal, collectibles and household items. A plethora of antiques shops are also along Fruitville Road and Pineapple Avenue.
Further down the Trail, you can take in the elegant 1920s Mediterranean Revival loggias and stroll down lush boulevards in the quaint city of Venice. Shopping on the island of Venice offers everything from tropical fashions to home décor in its boutiques and gift shops.
For the more conventional shopper, Sarasota boasts two malls—the upscale Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate, at South Tamiami Trail and Bee Ridge Road, is home to high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and Dillard's, along with many specialty shops including Express, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, The Gap, Victoria's Secret, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and Williams-Sonoma. Relaxing, classical music fills the air as well-dressed, discerning shoppers buy the best in kitchen accoutrements, designer clothing and delightfully different home décor. No mall, no matter how luxurious, would be complete without a food court. Southgate’s is home to Cosimo's Pizza, which serves up arguably the best pie in town.
The recently revamped Westfield Sarasota, located at Tamiami Trail and Beneva Road, is your traditional American shopping mall offering a wide variety of department stores and specialty shops. Find a movie theatre, extensive food court and popular stores such as Dillard’s, Forever 21, American Eagle Outfitters, Buckle and Hollister, in addition to Macy's, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works and The Gap. You'll find children's stores, electronics boutiques, and nearly everything else you would expect from a major shopping mall.
Whatever you fancy and whatever you find, you'll discover that when it comes to shopping, Sarasota really does have it all.
The Big Picture
Historic Dearborn Street is in the heart of Olde Englewood Village on the shores of Lemon Bay in South Sarasota County. Find gifts and fine art, hand-painted furniture and antiques, casual clothing, vintage furnishings and great food. Other notable shopping areas include Sarasota Pavilion, which houses Old Navy, Books-A-Million, Ulta, several discount stores and Downtown Sarasota’s historic Palm Avenue, home to several galleries.
