Shopping on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

Shopping areas with local flavor are dotted throughout Lee County and include antiques areas and art galleries. Beach shops offer kitsch to cool, and gift shops at attractions provide instant retail therapy, with some shops offering locally made souvenirs. Large malls provide one-stop shopping, and beautiful outdoor shopping areas with architectural details and ample greenery take advantage of the region’s great weather.

Bargain hunters will be pleased to find two outlet malls and weekly flea markets, where everything from fresh produce to knick-knacks covers acres of indoor and outdoor spaces, catering to shopaholics with a weakness for the hunt.

Bunches of Boutiques

Shoppers and browsers will adore the collection of boutiques in small, easy-to-navigate outdoor spaces. The tropical architecture at Periwinkle Place on Sanibel Island hints at the laid-back resort wear and whimsical gifts inside the outdoor shopping area’s boutiques. The Village, also on Sanibel, transports shoppers on a modified stilt walkway around corners and through passageways to its galleries, clothing boutiques and jewelry shops.

The intersection of Andy Rosse Lane and Captiva Road on Captiva Island sports a general store, where visitors can stock up on essentials and catch up on the local gossip, with a couple of art galleries and specialty shops farther down each of the cross streets.

Fort Myers Beach has Times Square, an anchor for shopping, dining and nightlife. Buildings in pop-art colors radiate from this central pedestrian area, and shops offer everything from upscale gifts to resort wear.

Bonita Springs has a historic district with thrift stores and a few antiques shops. At The Promenade, a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor shopping area for the well-heeled, even the Bennigan’s has an elegant outdoor bar in the round. You’ll also find Roy's, offering tantalizing dishes wrapped in a Hawaiian state of mind.

Modern Malls

Those in search of department stores can explore area malls, replete with regional and national stores such as Dillards and Macy’s. Fort Myers’ Edison Mall, recently renovated, is Lee County’s largest.

At Bell Tower Shops, upscale department stores sit alongside trendy boutiques, fine restaurants and a 20-screen movie theater. Royal Palm Square in Fort Myers features a dinner theater and Lulu's Emporium, a place for gifts, home decor and accessories.

Between Fort Myers and Estero sits the Gulf Coast Town Center, anchored by Southwest Florida’s first Bass Pro Shops, which caters to outdoor enthusiasts. In Estero is Coconut Point, the newest Main Street-style shopping area.

Retail Outlets

At Miromar Outlets in Estero, shoppers can explore more than 120 stores with bargains for men, women and children. An indoor water playground keeps the younger set entertained.

Tanger Outlets captures the attention of shoppers heading to and from Sanibel and Captiva islands and Fort Myers Beach. Offerings include outlets from mall regulars, such as the GAP, as well as Liz Claiborne and Polo Ralph Lauren factory stores.

Homegrown Finds

The downtown Fort Myers Farmers Market is a weekly occurrence at the edge of Centennial Park. Farmers, florists, fishermen and horticulturalists sell local goods including farm-grown mangos and shrimp, mangrove snapper and grouper.

Flea markets include Ortiz on Ortiz Road near I-75 (primarily local produce and Mexican handicrafts), Fleamasters in Fort Myers, Flamingo Island in Bonita Springs (more than 800,000 items at liquidation prices) and the Northside Drive-In Fleamarket (akin to a very large garage sale).