Article

Best of Sarasota 2015: Shopping, Goods and Services

Our editors' and readers' picks for the best shopping Sarasota for 2015.

By Sarasota Magazine May 1, 2015 Published in the May 2015 issue of Sarasota Magazine

EDITORS' PICKS

Best New Beach-Fashion Boutique: Fugate’s Sarasota

Imagine a boutique in posh St. Barts but without the eye-popping price tags. Fugate’s Sarasota, the third and most sophisticated store in a chain with locations in Venice and Boca Grande, is brimming with elegant beach style. Look for crystal-and-shell-adorned photo frames and trays from Isabella Adams, chic Gretchen Scott tops and dresses, and even pearl-bedecked jewelry by local designer Barb McSweeney. 1476 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 702-5816. shopfugates.com

Best New Furniture: Matter Brothers Furniture and Design

The fifth store in the chain, Sarasota’s new Matter Brothers Furniture and Design is the largest at 100,000 square feet. Entering is like stepping into your favorite design magazine; every important new look is represented, all curated with a coastal inflection and including offerings such as reclaimed rustic chic furniture, Natuzzi leather, and accessories from rugs to lighting. 4675 Clark Road, Sarasota, (941) 960-4410. matterbrothersfurniture.com

Best New Home Accessories: Indigo West

A new location and a new look reflecting fashion’s progression to a more sophisticated iteration of European coastal style is getting rave reviews for Indigo West (formerly Coquillage). Owner Melanie Ann Denicourt says her new collection is also more eclectic. With an emphasis on accessories, the shop offers decorative objects from vases to lamps, linens and mirrors. Indigo West, 134 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, (941) 487-7160. mustseesarasota.com/listing/indigo-west

Best New Repurposed Treasures: Architectural Revival

In the design industry, it’s called “the Restoration Hardware look,” but that’s mass-produced, and the trend, which Architectural Revival showcases, is to hand-made, one-off pieces. Husband and wife owners Lesa and Edward Stroop travel to trade shows and accept consignments from local artisans for furniture in the vintage industrial or industrial loft genre. Look for pieces of reclaimed wood and a smattering of custom furniture. 421 Central Ave., Sarasota, (800) 304-1232. architectural-revival.com

Best New Venice Boutique: A Coastal Breeze

For beach lovers who lean toward more toward sophistication than kitsch, A Coastal Breeze is not to be missed. Owners Amy and Brian Hicks glean a selection of chic and elegant decorative objects, table fashions and gifts made in or about Florida. From sand art wall plaques to jewelry and fashion-forward indoor outdoor pillows, the selection is irresistible and surprisingly affordable. 223 W. Miami Ave., Venice, (941) 786-1896.

Best New Consignment Store: Tommy’s Fine Men’s Consignment

The region’s only consignment store devoted to men’s fashion, Tommy’s Fine Men’s Consignment carries top brands in the casual resort genre, including Tommy Bahama, Tori Richard, Polo, Tommy Hilfiger and more. But there are also tuxedo jackets and pants, dress shirts, jewelry and designer apparel. Everything is in tip-top condition and some pieces have never been worn. 101 W. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 786-1850. tommysfinemensconsignment.com

Best New Table Décor: Malbi Italian Artisan Decor

Malbi Italian Artisan Decor, a boutique bearing the nickname of proprietor Maria Alberta Borri. specializes in table fashions—dinnerware, flatware, linens and glasses handpicked by Borri, who moved to Sarasota from Parma to open the store. Look for high-end, high-style brands found nowhere else in the United States, and cookware, edgy furniture and more. Impeccable taste and quality are keywords here. 127 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, (941) 953-3113. malbidecor.com

Best New Nail Salon: PAINT Nail Bar

At PAINT Nail Bar you’ll find a glam setting, lacquers from lux lines like Deborah Lippman, and “waterless” pedicures with warm towels and lots of massage. What you won’t find? Polishes containing any of the five most harmful toxins found in most nail products, meaning your mani is beautiful and safe, too. 1417 First St., #1010, Sarasota, (941) 366-8989. paintnailbar.com

Best New Affordable Jewelry: Alex and Ani

Chi-chi Alex and Ani sells bracelets and lots of charms that express a woman’s personality and loves. The jewelry is all made from recycled brass and includes necklaces, though bangles are what catapulted the company to fame, each displayed with a printed card bearing a mantra. With prices as low as $28, this is our new go-to haven for bridesmaid, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day gifts. 1461 Main St., Sarasota, (941) 953-1724. alexandani.com

Best New Shopping Heaven: The Mall at UTC

The sleek new Mall at University Town Center (140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota, 941-552-7030, mallatutc.com) has exponentially expanded the region’s shopping (and dining) options. Here are our picks for its 10 top stores.

Anthropologie

Free-spirited women’s apparel, accessories and home décor make Anthropologie a go-to for women who prefer a less-traveled feminine fashion road. (941) 306-4513. anthropologie.com

Apple Store

Iconic consumer electronics couturier Apple advises scheduling appointments online to avoid long waits for tutoring and techie sales assistance for its computers, MACbooks and I-gadgets. (941) 358-4600. apple.com

Arhaus Furniture

The world is the inspiration for this total home decorating store with everything designed and sourced in house by hand-selected artisans. (941) 893-1167. arhaus.com

Crate & Barrel

A clean transitional aesthetic punched up with color. Crate started with tabletop and now does everything for the home, indoors and out. (941) 702-9900. crateandbarrel.com

Dillard’s

A true department store gets a new fashion edge with a curated blend of luxury and basic brands for apparel and home. (941) 527-4878. dillards.com

H&M

This French brand with an immense selection of au courant styles is dedicated to wallet-friendly fashion adapted quickly from Europe’s runways. (941) 893-1148. hm.com

Saks Fifth Avenue

From Tampa to Naples, the most comprehensive roster of high-fashion designers for men and women’s apparel, shoes and jewelry. (941) 364-5300. saksfifthavenue.com

Tesla Motors

A combination showroom and learning center teaches the benefits of electric cars and Tesla’s sexy-fast models in particular. Ask for a test drive for a glimpse of the future. (941) 866-6597. teslamotors.com

Williams-Sonoma

Everything we loved at the Southgate Mall store, plus new scheduled cooking classes with staff and cookbook authors. (941) 866-6347. williams-sonoma.com

Z Gallerie

Fashion-forward total home gallery with furnishings, art, and accessories at affordable prices. (941) 702-2563. zgallerie.com