Best of Sarasota 2015: Shopping, Goods and Services
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
READERS' CHOICE
Best Place to Buy Women’s Shoes
Peltz Shoes, Saks Fifth Avenue
Best Store for Kids
Best Place to Work Out
Best Hair Salon
Cutting Loose, Yellow Strawberry
Best Spa
The Met Fashion House Day Spa & Salon
The Ritz-Carlton, Spa Hollywood
Best Place to Buy Lighting
Bee Ridge Lighting and Design, Home Depot
Best Place to Buy Floor Covering
G. Fried Flooring America, Rugs as Art
Best Place to Shop for Antiques
Sarasota Architectural Salvage
Crissy Galleries, Woman’s Exchange of Sarasota
Best Art Gallery (not museum)
Allyn Gallup Contemporary, State of the Arts Gallery
Best Men’s Clothing Store (chain)
Best Men’s Clothing Store (locally owned)
The Met Fashion house Day Spa & Salon
Best Women’s Clothing Store (chain)
Best Women’s Clothing Store (locally owned)
Jackie Z, The Met Fashion House Day Spa & Salon
Best Women’s Formal/Cocktail Attire Store (chain)
Best Women’s Formal/Cocktail Attire Store (locally owned)
L. Boutique, The Met Fashion House Day Spa & Salon
Best Swimsuit Store
Splash Sun & Fun, Swim City
Best Jeweler (chain)
Best Jeweler (locally owned)
Coffrin Jewelers, June Simmons Jewelry
Best Florist
Beneva Flowers, Flowers by Fudgie, Victoria Blooms
Best Bicycle Shop
Village Bikes, Ryder Bikes, Sarasota Cycle
Best Home Accessories Store (locally owned)
Best Furniture Store (chain)
Best Furniture Store (locally owned)
Best Consignment Store
Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel, Laura Jean’s Consignments
Best Gift Shop
Best Retirement Community
Best Home Health Care
Approved Home Health, Comfort Keepers
Best Landscaping Company
ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design
Michael A. Gilkey, Twin Blades Lawn Care
Best Place to Play Golf
Laurel Oak Country Club, TPC Prestancia
Best Place to Play Tennis