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Shopping in Paradise: Naples, Florida
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Photo courtesy of Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB
Shopping is more than just a pastime along the Paradise Coast—it’s an art form with a tropical twist! So grab your gal pals and embark on the perfect Girlfriends Getaway—in Naples, where you can stroll along palm-lined streets in the sunshine, swinging your shopping bags, and then duck inside a cozy pub for drinks or a light dinner.
Third Street South
When you venture down romantic Third Street South, you can shop amidst historic courtyards, antique European fountains, and lush, cascading flowers. You can even take advantage of the Third Street Concierge—a one-of-a-kind service. The Third Street Concierge Kiosk is located in Camargo Park, opposite the Fleischmann Fountain. The friendly concierge on duty will answer your questions and give advice about Naples, help you with transportation or deliveries, and even hold your packages while you shop! I guarantee that you will feel thoroughly spoiled.
For high fashion, your best bet is Marissa Collections on Third Street South. Marissa brings in all the latest in designer women’s wear, and they offer incredible personal service to style you from head to toe. (And they also have a very good collection of sale items, for guilt-free shopping on a tight budget.)
Third Street South also boasts shops and boutiques filled with antiques, arts and crafts, beachwear, souvenirs, and books.
Waterside Shops
Waterside Shops, 5415 Tamiami Trail N., is a collection of 60 stores, mostly luxury brand retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Cartier, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, and Anthropologie. You can shop surrounded by waterfalls, colorful flowering plants, and dramatic architecture, all under the canopy of towering royal palm trees.
Fifth Avenue South
My favorite place to shop on the Paradise Coast is this ultra-tony avenue in the heart of Old Naples, filled with unique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. And I love Regatta, 760 Fifth Avenue South, a gift shop which emphasizes whimsy. The store really delivers on its slogan, “Fun Things for Fun People.” The eclectic mix of gifts includes wacky art objects, fanciful glassware, cute gadgets, colorful tableware and pottery, and models of ships and hot-air balloons. You’ll also find accessories by Vera Bradley.
For art that captures the beauty of the Paradise Coast, Guess-Fisher Gallery, 824 Fifth Avenue South, is a great choice. The gallery features watercolors of Naples scenes (like Naples Pier) by local artist Phil Fisher, and batiks by his wife, Natalie Guess, as well as works by other local artists.
Treasure Hunting for Values
You can find great buys (trendy clothes at prices that are easy on the pocketbook) at Hazel’s Closet upscale consignment shop, 2400 Imokalee Road, Suite 6. At Hazel’s, all the clothing is cleaned, pressed, and in impeccable shape. You can also find gently-used jewelry, belts, hats, purses, lingerie, and shoes. (For extra savings, print out the 10% Off coupon at their website.)
Another spot to search for treasures, like designer clothes, handbags, and shoes, is Options Thrift Shoppe, 968 Second Avenue North. A lot of the affluent winter residents of Naples (who are both philanthropic and style-conscious) discard their designer wear here at the end of the season. Options is owned and operated by the Center for Abused Women and Children in Naples, so shopping there not only benefits you in your hunt for high-fashion bargains, but also helps support the women served by the Shelter. It’s a win-win situation.
Get the Irish Spirit
When you’ve shopped ‘til you’re literally ready to drop, then one of the nicest places to drop in Naples is McCabe’s Irish Pub, at the Inn on Fifth, which is about as authentic an Irish pub experience that you’re going to find on this side of the puddle. A second-generation Irish-American, Philip McCabe, owner of the Inn on Fifth, utilized a firm near Dublin to custom design the pub, and also to acquire the Irish antiques (like a County Kerry fiddle) to adorn the restaurant. In October 1997, the million-dollar pub arrived in containers, and six Irish journeymen and two specialist painters then assembled McCabe’s.
McCabe’s dinner menu features traditional Irish fare like Shepherd’s Pie, and Corned Beef and Cabbage, along with American favorites like Veggie Lover’s Pizza. Naturally, the pub also serves up pints of imported ales, brews, stouts, and whiskeys, accompanied by live Irish music. Irish eyes will certainly be smiling here.
Location, Location, Location!
Serious shoppers might want to stay at least one night at the Inn on Fifth, so that they can be right in the heart of some of the best stores in Naples. This Mediterranean-inspired boutique inn even offers a deluxe spa utilizing such elite body treatments as the Dead Sea Salt and Mineral Mud Scrub, the Japanese Green Tea Scrub and Wrap, and the Chocolate Raspberry Brown Sugar Scrub. What a way to relax after a full day of shopping!
Until December 23, 2009, the Inn on Fifth is offering a Beauty & the Beach package, which includes spa treatments at the hotel spa, a Beauty Makeover (makeup application, hair wash and style) at a posh Fifth Avenue salon, and lots of other Girlfriends Getaways' goodies.
Author’s Note: This is the second in a six-part series on the Paradise Coast. Other editions feature Vacation Values in Paradise, Fun for Kids in Paradise, Romance in Paradise, & Dining in Paradise.
Next up: Spas in Paradise.
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