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Cul tural Coast SHOPPING Along the charming tree-lined streets of downtown Sarasota you'll find a wide array of one-of-a-kind, locally-owned treasures, boutiques such as Coquillage, known for its European inspired, coastalchic furniture and home accessories, and Bohemian Bliss, connoisseurs of chic casual women's apparel. Stores like these are recognized for the kind of personal service that comes with pride of ownership, and the determination these shop owners have to make sure your experience in their stores is a happy and memorable one. St. Armand's Circle is a retail and dining destination like no other for both tourists and local residents alike. An upscale high-end mecca for fabulous shops and gourmet restaurants for more than 50 years, St. Armand's Circle, with well over 125 shops and restaurants of all sizes, offers you the unique opportunity to shop and dine while enjoying the tropical breezes off the Gulf of Mexico. A wide variety of shops cater to an even wider variety of clientele from all over the world. From the beach retail giant Alvin's, to that connoisseur of fashion, The Met, "the Circle" -- as it is fondly known among locals -- promises an unforgettable shopping experience. Back on the mainland, be sure to make time for the fantastic consignment shopping opportunities available, thanks to so many top-shelf residents in the area. Gently used couture and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces can be found at high-end consignment shops like Fifi's Consignment in Southside Village. Fifi's offers a stylish selection of designer names in pristine condition. In Downtown Sarasota, The Woman's Exchange has an impressive array of treasures from jewels and furniture, to collectibles and clothing, a virtual treasure hunt, rare finds are an everyday occurrence here. And to the south, both downtown Venice and Punta Gorda offer charming historic shopping districts that are home to a colorful assortment of locally owned boutiques and art galleries. Punta Gorda's Fishermen's Village, a bay-front outdoor mall offering an eclectic assortment of shops and restaurants, is not to be missed. While hunting down that rare and unique find, one should not overlook Rum Runners Antique Village in the coastal village of Nokomis, just a mile north of Venice. Browse for hours through the ever changing selection of fine antiques, artifacts and vintage items from the prehistoric era to the mid-20th century. The Cultural Coast of Florida offers a rich array of shopping opportunities, a selection of shops and stores as unique and sophisticated as the area itself and a place where, even when it comes to shopping, you can expect the unexpected. Wyland Gallery on St Armands Circle offers an ecclectic selection of fine art. 42 | FLORIDA HOMES MAGAZINE Photography: Shayne Jenkins and Fotolia.com F lorida's "Cultural Coast" offers some of the most unique shopping in the world, a collection of retail stores driven by dynamic and independently minded business owners passionate about what they do and what they can offer to both year-round residents and visitors.

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