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14 | Michael Saunders & Company ShOPPING hite sandy beaches may be its claim to fame, but the Cultural Coast also offers world-class shopping destinations to fit any budget or personal style. From trendy boutiques to upscale malls, fine art and furnishings to rare antique finds, you will find it here. Downtown Sarasota's intimate streets provide an ideal setting to stroll and shop for the perfect gift. Local store owners beckon shoppers with their personal turnkey concierge service and welcome visitors like family, especially during the first Friday evening of the month when the street lights up with entertainment, and owners serve wine and hors d'oeuvres along Palm Avenue. The area is an art lover's paradise with its dedication to galleries and shops that offer traditional to contemporary art, sculpture, jewelry and upscale gifts and home décor. Collectors are in their element at Galleria Silecchia and Dabbert Gallery which bring some of the world's finest art to Sarasota. Discover the unique beauty of fine tapestries and carpets at Art to Walk On with its choice selection of masterpieces from Aubusson to modern, area-sized gems to carpets befitting a chateau. Town & Country Antiques and Burke Antiques offer historical pieces for the home, and the family-owned Crissy Galleries has specialized in prestigious selections of art and antiques for over 50 years. Nearby, in Burns Court time literally—and figuratively—flies past as you wander along the host of shops. The Sarasota Trading Company has room upon room packed with an eclectic collection of treasures. A few blocks to the east in Towles Court resident artists offer a wide variety of original pieces. If you are looking for luxury resort wear, couture, hand crafts or art work, you will find a myriad of shops on St. Armands Circle. The easy-to-stroll beachside destination is home to luxury boutiques including Dream Weaver, Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and The Met. For the shop 'til you drop aficionado, The Mall at University Town Center offers anchor stores Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillards, and Macy's, while the smaller, intimate Westfield Southgate Mall offers fashion from Ann Taylor, Talbots, and The Walking Company. Farther south, the palm-tree lined streets of historic downtown Venice are packed with quaint shops selling everything from custom stationery to art, while the waterfront of Punta Gorda's Fisherman's Village provides a relaxing atmosphere to discover unique items for garden and home. Regardless what is on your shopping list, you are sure to find what you need and even more. W

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