Where We Love to Shop in Downtown Sarasota

Your trip to Sarasota and the surrounding area is sure to be full of fun on the beach, beautiful natural sites, delicious seafood, and so much more. But while you’re here, you have to make time for shopping! Whether you’re looking for something new to add to your wardrobe, or a fun souvenir to remember your travels by, Sarasota has something nearby for you. Best of all, each of these destinations is just minutes away from our Lido Key rentals, so you can spend the whole day shopping until you drop!

The Mall at University Town Center

The newest mall in Sarasota boasts 880,000 square feet of retail space, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for here, it probably doesn’t exist! This is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for luxury stores like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Apple, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade. If you want something a bit more budget-friendly, the mall is right between two other shopping districts: The District East and The District West. The District West is home to more commonplace retailers such as Old Navy and Super Target. At the same time, The District East includes several places to shop as well as a movie theater.

Westfield South Gate

Westfield South Gate also referred to as Westfield Siesta Key, offers a little something for everyone. The 46 retail stores include popular locations like Talbots, Chico’s, and Ann Taylor. This destination is popular with all age groups, featuring department stores as well as more specific shops like Gymboree for kids’ clothes and William-Sonoma for kitchen supplies. There’s also plenty of food here, including the award-winning Cravings Coffee, known for being an eclectic mix of Thai cuisine and a coffee and tea shop.

Unique Shops

Sarasota offers plenty of other places for you to visit if you’re not interested in the typical stores available at the shopping centers.

Circus City Architectural Salvage

Circus City was opened by Greg Pemberton in June of 2013. The name comes from the rich circus history in the area, and once you step inside, you’ll understand! There is an interesting mix of salvage, collectibles, antiques, repurposed materials, and circus memorabilia, all located inside this incredible vintage building downtown. 

Greg has a lengthy background with an architectural restoration and in the antique business, and you can tell that he is passionate about what he does. This is the ideal place to come to escape the heat or to find that truly unique souvenir for your travels. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Towles Court Artist Colony

If you’re looking for a truly unique destination to check out some of the best artwork in the area, visit Towles Court Artist Colony. The colony is located in a historic courtyard of old Sarasota and hosts various local artists representing many different genres. No matter what your style, you’re sure to find a piece that speaks to you.  

You can head to the studio itself from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or you can come out for an Artwalk every third Friday of the month from October through April. These evening events allow you to speak with the artists while enjoying live music, refreshments, and, of course, stunning artwork!

Be Our Guest

In between all of your shopping excursions, you’ll need a place to relax. That’s why we’re proud to offer the premier luxury Lido Key vacation rentals. Since we are a smaller service, every guest will experience a one-on-one relationship with our property manager Trevor. Every rental is designed with our guests in mind. They feature the most luxurious accommodations, as well as exemplary customer service that goes beyond the ordinary. Our homes are all custom built and contain luxurious amenities and private spaces for you and your family to enjoy. Is Lido Key calling your name yet? Contact us today to start planning your vacation!