Ready, Set, Shop! Sarasota Shopping Districts

Grab your bag and a pair of comfortable shoes: It’s time to go shopping. Whether you’re looking for stylish swimwear or hip home decor, you’ll find plenty of stores in Sarasota County with must-have merchandise. When you’ve had your fill of sun, sand and surf or simply prefer to find the local shopping center over the local beach, here are a few ways to spend a day filling your retail therapy cup. 

University Town Center & Waterside Place

The Mall at UTC

You'll be hard-pressed not to find something tempting or your style at The Mall at University Town Center. The 880,000-square-foot mall is home to more than 150 stores and restaurants, including a diverse mix of department stores, fashion and lifestyle retailers and popular brands. For fashionistas, options range from higher-end (Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Untuckit) to trendsetting (Free People, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Pac Sun) to budget-friendly (H&M, Aerie, Forever 21, Bath & Body Works, Gap). Secure your jewelry at Rolex or Swarovski. Grab workout gear at the LuluLemon, Athleta or Fabletics location. Or find a new pair of pumps at Saks Fifth Avenue or sneakers at Fit2Run. The mall’s also home to the area’s first Apple, Arhaus, Warby Parker and Crate & Barrel stores. You could spend hours under the site’s arched, glass ceilings—especially when you factor in all the dining choices for refueling over lunch or dinner.

University Town Center

Beyond the indoor mall, there is an even greater retail selection beyond at the University Town Center (UTC). The UTC features more than 250 specialty shops and over 80 eateries. You can spend the entire day driving around its different districts or strolling the various centers to discover popular national brands, local favorites and big box stores, such as Marshalls, Target, HomeGoods, REI, Ulta, Best Buy, DSW, Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom Rack, American Signature Furniture and so much more.

Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch

Further inland, but just a few short minutes drive, discover Sarasota's newest retail location: Waterside Place. Located on the edge of beautiful lake, Waterside Place offers an open-air shopping experience by the water. In addition to eclectic dining, explore a variety of local boutiques. Here is where you'll find shops more unique to the Sunshine State and Sarasota, such as Florida Provisions, Marmalade, Monkee’s, Cileone Jewelers, and The Black Dog. For even more local finds and Florida-native goods, stop by Waterside Place on Sundays to catch the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch!

Downtown Sarasota 

Main Street, Downtown Sarasota

For those staying closer to Downtown Sarasota or Lido Key, take a stroll along Main Street, Palm or Pineapple Avenues. A few national chains (like Eileen Fisher and J. McLaughlin) have a presence here, but most of Main Street and nearby side streets are lined with local boutiques or independent shops. The Toy Lab is a happy spot for craft kits, Legos, stuffed animals and baby dolls. Browse the funky glassware, hand-woven Turkish towels and industrial home furnishings at Mercantile Home & Apparel, or find a new outfit at on-trend women’s apparel boutiques, Lotus, Simply Jo's, Surge Style, or Pineapple Lain. For the bookworms, check out best-sellers and staff picks at Bookstore1Sarasota. And if you find yourself walking along Lemon Avenue or First Street on Saturday morning, don't be surprised by the dozens of vendors selling local goods, flowers, farm produce and artwork from the Sarasota Farmers Market.

Heading across the Ringling Causeway Bridge to reach St. Armands Circle, enter into the ultimate shopping and entertainment district. This famous sector features a large, walkable ring of over 140 storefronts, shops and restaurants. You’ll find some nationally known names (Tommy Bahama, Soma, Salt Life, Chico's, Lilly Pulitzer) along with local boutiques (Modern Soul, Influence, Shore, The Met-Fashion House, Alvin's Island and more) stocking everything from elegant fashions and trendy sandals to beachgoing accessories. There’s also a Tervis shop selling the local manufacturer’s popular insulated drinkware, as well as renowned galleries selling art (Garden Argosy, Wyland Galleries) and unique boutiques selling everything from sports memorabilia to gourmet goodies. Enjoy the public art on display and lush courtyard in the middle to take a breather from all the walking and browsing! 

Historic Burns Court, Downtown Sarasota

Other shopping zones sit clustered near the Main Street area. Just to the south is Historic Burns Court, an artsy enclave filled with an eclectic array of storefronts embracing the “shop small” philosophy. Find mid-century modern furniture, thrift finds, jewelry, clothing, candles and other goodies that could fit easily in your suitcase. From women’s wear and stylish shoes at L. Boutique, Brooklyn Boutique, and Motel Therapy to eclectic thrifting and unique finds at spots like Sarasota Trading Co, The Exchange and Burns Mercantile, wandering Burns Court is a treat for both the window shopper and in-store shopper. 

Venice, North Port & Englewood

Main Street, Historic Downtown Venice

Exert your purchasing power in Historic Downtown Venice and Venice Main Street. The 1920s-era retail stretch includes all kinds of independent boutiques, art galleries and specialty Old Florida shops. Pop into Captain’s Landing for tropical men’s fashions, Seaside Chic Boutique for women's coastal clothing and St Marco Boutique for resort wear. Find unique gift items and seaside souvenirs at Artisans Venice, Island Gift Nook, or Sea Pleasures & Treasures. Venice Stationers remains another longtime go-to for gifts and paper goods. Don’t just stroll Venice Avenue; be sure to also head one street over to Miami Avenue, home to its own collection of shops and galleries, like Tangi&Jess and Nest Venice. If you're in the area on Saturday mornings, check out the local produce and handmade goods from the Venice Farmers' Market. 

Downtown Wellen Park, courtesy of City of North Port

Further south in North Port, discover the newly built retail district of Downtown Wellen Park. Enjoy strolling the colorful murals and peeping into local shops and cafes of the community waterside park. You just may catch live music in the amphitheater, outdoor activities or event happenings on the great lawn. A few boutiques to check out include Naples Soap Company, Dana Tyler, Breakwater Home Fashions, and Kind Vibes Outfitters, while the directory is sure to evolve with time. North Port also hosts its own weekly Fresh Harvest Farmers Market on Sunday mornings. 

Dearborn Street, Olde Englewood Village

Meanwhile, on Englewood’s Dearborn Street, find an ideal locale for fans of vintage and antique goods. Several resale and antiques stores have set up shop here, including Ivy’s on Dearborn. Other antique oddities and nautical decor can be found a few minutes drive away at Rumrunners Antiques. Interested in some local art? Head to the Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay or the Old Florida Gallery and Outdoor Center, which occupies the town’s former hardware store. For quality home supplies or holiday decorations, stop in at Willow Grace Mercantile. If you need an extra bag to carry all your buys home, or just another reason to fill your bag with cool finds, art or Florida-fun gifts, head to A Coastal Emporium, Beyond the Wave, Tiki Trader, or Green Artist. And don't leave Dearborn without stocking up on bottles of wine at local favorite, Vino Loco Wine & Tapas.