Shopping in Florida
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Artisan’s World Marketplace
Artisan’s World Marketplace is a nonprofit organization providing a retail outlet for artisans worldwide who live below the poverty level. For every $1200 worth of goods sold here, an artist in a developing country can work for one year and support a family of four.
reviewed
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Sonja Benson
Men can wait on the yellow ‘husband’ bench out front while their wives peruse this delightful handbag boutique. The bold multicolored patterned bags are reminiscent of Pucci, but are made by Sonja Benson, a Naples-based designer. Each is a unique piece of art; prices are reasonable.
reviewed
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Whole Foods Marketplace
This natural-food grocery-store chain has an excellent array of organic produce, packaged products from cereals to soaps, bulk items, organic dairy foods, prepared meals and a salad bar. You’ll also find a good selection of wines, beers and fresh elixirs squeezed at the juice bar.
reviewed
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Soho Clothing
Chunky, studded T-shirts, artfully ripped hoodies, daring halter dresses and cute kimono tops cinched by beaded belts rule the roost at this thumpin’ store. It’s a little euro-trashy, but in a ‘just euro-trashy enough to be sexy’ way. There’s another location at 645 Lincoln Rd.
reviewed
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London Sole
North American girls have not rediscovered the ballerina flat the way their European counterparts have, but London Sole is working to change that, providing colorful, sexy shoes you can wear down the beach and out to the club, all in the course of one long, fashionable day.
reviewed
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Urban Threads
Urban Threads sells catalog returns from J Crew and Anthropologie. Some items are from the previous season, but there’s a boatload of current merchandise selling at steep discounts. Excellent selection of pants and tops, many for less than $20. Also: shoes and boots galore!
reviewed
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Me & Ro
If it’s in the Shore Club, it’s got to be good. Right? Join in-the-know bauble mavens (including Julia Roberts) who shop for these bracelets, rings and earrings in silver and gold, crafted with Asian accents by celebrity jewelers Robin Renzi and Michele Quan.
reviewed
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Scoop
If yours was the real-life story Zoolander was based on, you’d probably like to shop in Scoop, located in the Shore Club and full of hot-ticket fashion for models (male and female) from both its own label and others, including Juicy Couture, Paul Smith and Theory.
reviewed
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Peppers of Key West
For a downright shopping party, you should bring your favorite six-pack with you into this store and settle in at the tasting bar, where the entertaining owners use double entendres to hawk seriously mouth-burning hot sauces, like their own Right Wing Sauce (use Liberally).
reviewed
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Leo
A welcome break from Sobe’s usual glam, Leo caters to the more indie-chic (or at least those who appreciate a decently witty T-shirt). The beautiful come to browse labels such as Diab’less, American Retro and Alexander Wang under a ceiling strewn with 500 lightbulbs.
reviewed
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El Aguila Vidente
Hey, botanicas can have variety. El Aguila doesn’t do vodou, but it does cater to local Santeria worshipers with a nice assortment of Afro-Cuban magic recipes, tarot cards and religious icons for the discerning santero.
reviewed
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Kartell
This large storefront is filled with a pretty panoply of plastics – all finely sculpted into bona fide works of art (in the form of chairs, shelving units and tables) by designers including Philippe Starck, Giulio Polvara and Anna Castelli Ferrieri.
reviewed
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Architectural Antiques
The old AA is worth a stop just to look at the amazing range of items, from the beautiful (crystal sculptures, classic globes, old-school posters) to the banal (too much to list), which are stacked like popcorn in this incredible warehouse of found stuff.
reviewed
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Garcia Cigars
There are plenty of cigar shops in Key West, but our favorite is this shackfront, where a sweet Cuban woman sells handrolled goods while she quotes and constantly reads the Bible, all in the face of the drunken screams of hundreds of horny frat boys.
reviewed
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Luxe
Light up your life – and your home, wherever it may be – with some of the classiest, trendiest designer lighting accessories ever. Choose among chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, halogen lighting and lighting controls.
reviewed
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Daszign New York
This boutique is hot, bursting with labels including Rebecca Taylor, Juicy Couture, 2 B Free, and denim from Seven, Paper Denim & Cloth, Joe’s, Hudson and more. Unique accessories and footwear from New York designers are also on display.
reviewed
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Fort Myers Farmers Market
Held every Thursday under the Caloosahatchee Bridge, the Fort Myers Farmers Market is an excellent option for self-caterers, who can purchase fresh greens, produce, cheese, fruits and other products directly from area growers and agriculturalists.
reviewed
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Haslam's Book Store
This bookstore is a bona fide attraction. A half-block long, with a tremendous selection of new and used books and a fantastic Florida section, Haslam's claims to be the largest independent bookstore in the US Southeast. Many beach days have been lost perusing its shelves.
reviewed
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Compass Market
Think useful things: this basement market is packed with anything you’d ever need while on a relaxing beach vacation. Cheap sandals, umbrellas, deli items, cigars, wine and newspapers – if you forgot to pack it, they have it here.
reviewed
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Recycled Blues
Got budgetary blues? It’s wall-to-wall funkdefied used clothing here, although the focus is more discarded modern style than vintage chic. Think of Recycled as a very cool Salvation Army. Find Levi’s for $15, shorts for $10 and jackets for $20.
reviewed
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Lalique
The French makers of fine gifts present their awe-inspiring collection of crystal vases, fine stemware, leather bags, silk scarves, porcelain dishes and high-end watches and jewelry. It’s the perfect place to shop for a high-class bride.
reviewed
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Primo Milano
The name evokes Milan, but not as much as the fashion. When we visited, Primo Milano was all about lookin’ like a rockstar, selling the sort of big, diamante-studded skull belt buckles you either find irresistible or incredibly gauche.
reviewed
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Senzatempo
Amid all the deco, you’d think there’d be more design shops lying around. Well, come to this retro gallery, with its decorative pieces and 20th-century designer furniture, plus plenty of clocks and watches, to feed that fix.
reviewed
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Britto Central
Should you have several thousand dollars and the desire to purchase one of Romero Britto’s pieces – either iconic Miami or glaringly commercial installation art, depending on your tastes – this is the place to do so.
reviewed
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La Herencia de Cuba
You can still pick up a close-to-Cuban cigar and watch master cigar rollers at work at several different shops, including La Herencia de Cuba and Gonzalez y Martinez in the Columbia Restaurant building.
reviewed