Sarasota Shopping

From the moment you enter this shop (where the eponymous Robyn will greet you with a cup of tea of your choice from a large selection of green, black and herbal teas), you can feel the stress falling away with the tinkle of the fountains and wind chimes. A purveyor of garden-inspired goods, Robyn's also carries a wide range of gift items, including bamboo clothing, interesting shell creations, and seasonally appropriate collectibles. I found myself spending far too much time surveying a nook full of spring goodies -- a glorious wreath of spring flowers, adorable bunnies, a mother duck and ducklings, and even a shelf with things one might give to the cynical teen at the Easter dinner table -- and the section with garden tools and accents. Next door there's a splendid chocolatier whose hand-made creations (sand dollars and other shells delicated rendered in milk or dark chocolate, for example) certainly complemented the purchases I made at Robyn's.

What to buy: This is a fine place to shop for better quality souvenirs of your visit. I wound up with a charming print ($25.00, matted) and some gardener's hand cream which smelled too good to pass up.

What to pay: Good shopping, in Sarasota as elsewhere, isn't cheap.

With over 135 stores this is one of Florida's great outlet malls - I think it may be the largest I've been to.

The outlet has lots of designer duds from names and stores like Off-Sax Avenue, Donna Karan, Mark, Strike and Four, Escada, and more.

My favorite shops are the Coach outlet and various luggage outlets.

Mall has a food court.

What to pay: Check for coupons and specials before going"

http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/ellenton/savings-and-rewards.aspx

This is a nice upscale kind of shopping area with lots of little shops and restaurants . It has a Europen feel to it although many of the stores are truly USA . St Armands was the brain child of John Ringling, of the circus world. We enjoyed a nice meal here and a stroll around . I spent hours in the Bead shop where the selection was too overwhelming fot me and I walked out empty handed!!

This was a first for me: a store entirely devoted to cat paraphrenalia! Cushions, bumper stickers, pins, stuffed animals, and an array of things for cats themselves as well as their devoted owners...er, servants. I was hard put to decide which to buy: a pillow on which was embroidered, "For the best seat in the house, you'll have to move the cat" or a self-cleaning litterbox -- not exactly gift material, but on the other hand, there I was on vacation wondering whether the cat-keepers were doing an adequate job (they weren't, as it happened) and it seemed to me like this might be just the ticket.

What to buy: If it involves cats, this store probably carries it.

Rocketman has moved from Siests Key Village to a strip mall on the left just before the Stickney Point bridge...still the best place for all cool drum circle paraphenalia!

What to buy: drums. head shop stuff, jewelry, incense,indian blankets wall hangings, tee shirts, footbags..basically all things hip

What to pay: normal pricing

I absolutely love this place and if you are a foodie you will too!

This shop has a bakery, chocolate shop (coffee too), cheese, pate, meats, fruits/veggies, wine and so on.

This shop is actually more than a shop- it is an entire complex that has a skilled culinary team

Morton's also has a kitchen shop in the Osprey complex as well as a Restaurant. The Restaurant is divine and has been called "a great neighborhood brasserie" (St. Petersburg Times) and "one of the best restaurants in Florida" (Florida Trend Magazine).

Located in the heart of Southside Village and Lakewood Ranch, Fred's is a unique restaurant offering world-class cuisine in a neighborhood setting. With an eclectic mix of signature American and International delights in an inviting atmosphere, Fred's has defined casual-elegance for the Sarasota area.

Fred's menu includes a mix of European, Asian, and Latin influences with the cuisine of Southern Americana

What to buy: My favorite areas are the cheeses and the homemade pate. Their homemade pates are fantasy worthy. I also adore their prepared food section

I've also taken many of their day long wine classes

What to pay: More expensive than a regular grocery store - because it in no way is a regular grocery store

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More upscale shopping. No mall rats found here, where the anchor stores are Saks 5th ave and Macy's. Dillards is also here, as well as some specialty shops such as Williams Sonoma. Some great food in here too. Very accessible, plenty of parking, easy to get in and out quick.

What to buy: everything and anything. It's a mall

What to pay: Like St Armands Circle, this is high end shopping. Don't expect flea market prices.

This is where the rich and famous shop when in Sarasota. No department stores here. Mostly independent merchants selling high end merchandise.
The variety of shops combined with some excellent restaraunts and close proximity to the beach make this an excellent place to pass the day ( and spend some cash).

What to buy: Designer clothes Jewelry gifts toys electronics etc.

What to pay: Depends. Mostly high quality merchandise priced accordingly. Don't look for bargain basement prices here.