Shopping
The vast amount of stores in Fort Lauderdale—including a high number of luxury ones—makes the city a fabulous place to shop. Just about anything you want or need can be purchased in the area, from quirky antiques and secondhand clothes, to surf gear and trendy flip-flops, to swanky designs perfect for a hot Florida night out. One of the most popular areas for boutique shopping is Las Olas Boulevard just west of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
If you drive around town, you’re likely to notice lots of familiar stores. Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to a large amount of chain stores, ranging from cheaper retailers like Target to higher-end shops like Neiman Marcus and Chanel. Most of these are located in strip malls, shopping centers, and malls. The best and most prestigious mall in the city is the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale (2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., 954-564-1036; www.galleriamall-fl.com). The Galleria is home to elite tenants like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swarovski, and Kate Spade, as well as less-expensive vendors such as Ann Taylor, Gap, Lucky Brand, J. Crew, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Cole Haan.
Since the stores in this and other malls are not unique to Greater Fort Lauderdale and can easily be found by flipping through the phone book or calling information, they are not the focus of this chapter. This chapter focuses on the stores you might not discover without this book. These are primarily independent stores and smaller local and regional chains that give the city its unique flavor. Many of them are places where you can generally find more special, one-of-a-kind things.
Overview
In the pages that follow, you will find stores in just about every category. These include antiques stores and commercial art galleries, thrift and resale shops, comic-book shops, flea markets, toy stores, jewelry stores, shoe stores, gift shops and garden shops, specialty food stores, sporting goods stores, music shops, bookstores, and clothing stores for men, women, and children. You’ll even find out where to buy cowboy boots and hats—used, new, and custom-made. The stores listed here are by no means the only ones in town, but they are some of the best in their respective categories. Together the stores included here range from inexpensive to luxurious, giving you options no matter what your budget is. A good number of the stores included here are located in the downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Dania Beach, and Hollywood areas.
Because many of the stores listed here are small, family-owned-and-operated shops, some of them are closed one or two days a week. These closure days have been noted when appropriate in the descriptions that follow. Keep in mind, however, that stores often change their hours, especially during the holidays. It’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure the store will be open when you plan to stop in. Most stores in Fort Lauderdale have parking lots or free street parking available.
1. Antique Center Mall of Dania
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 922-5467
Address: 3 N. Federal Hwy.
Description: Out of all the antique spaces in Dania Beach, this one actually holds 28 antique dealers under one roof so you can hit a ton without going too far. There’s a vast selection of shops—from old Victorian ware to early-1920s pieces, and everything in between. It’s as fun for knickknacks as it is for that new commode you’ve always wanted.
2. Dania Beach’s Historic Art and Antique District
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 922-5467
Description: This tiny, sleepy area in downtown Dania may seem a tad dilapidated, but it’s chock-full of some treasures—and, admittedly, some junk. But it feels like a slice of Old Florida, and a wander through the charming antique shops and art galleries is worth it.
3. Victoria’s Attic
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 463-6774
Address: 1926 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Description: Brimming with Victorian to mid-century furniture—most on consignment—this is a prime spot in the area to source that new-but-old chest of drawers you need for your bedroom. Of course, you have to locate the item first, no small feat in this packed-to-capacity shop, but the genteel owner will gladly guide you through the stacks to find your treasure. In fact, if he doesn’t have what you want, he’ll keep a lookout for it and call you when something suitable comes up.
4. Verona Art
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 920-0097
Address: 75 N. Federal Hwy.
Description: Like many of the antique shops and art galleries on this strip, it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but this is the place to come for a lovingly restored chandelier and other crystal objects. In general, Verona Art focuses on authentic items and some reproductions from the European continent. Don’t be surprised to find evocative sculptures and intriguing jewelry amidst the glitter and the glam.
5. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 929-7710
Address: 200 Gulf Stream Way
Description: This chain is one of the top spots in the area to get your gear—from fishing tackle and poles to dive suits, snorkeling equipment, and everything in between. It is essentially a massive warehouse filled to the brim with everything a water-sports enthusiast could ever hope for, and more. Camping gear is also on offer for those who prefer to remain land bound.
6. Reading, etc.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 363-0006
Address: 3201 SW 15th St.
Description: This bookstore is more like a palace—an Egyptian-themed one, that is. Filled with exquisite stuffed leather chairs and sofas and castle-worthy thrones, Egyptian pillars and sphinx statues, delicate lighting and gorgeous polished wooden bookshelves, it is like entering the most regal zone of books you’ve ever encountered. The bookstore is famous not only because of its opulent decor, but it’s affiliated with Heath Communications, world-renowned publisher of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. In addition to books, the shop sells upscale handbags, handmade paper, home accessories like candles and potpourri, handsome desk clocks, and globes and children’s toys.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Address: 6812 Stirling Rd. (in the Lincoln Park P
8. Jimmie’s Chocolates
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 563-8655
Address: 1426 NE 26th St.
Description: Florida’s oldest chocolatier (going strong since 1947) attracts a loyal following for good reason—its chocolates and confections focus on the traditional (dark chocolate infused with hazelnuts, milk chocolate squares with a dollop of white on top, truffles that dissolve on your tongue like a slow, sweet drizzle), and it’s all homemade. Its new digs in Wilton Manors is a classy tasting room with antique stools and a loungelike atmosphere, whereas the original Dania Beach spot (148 N. Federal Hwy., 954-922-0441) is where most of the decadent stuff is made and sold (in an old house) and also serves as home to their cafe and restaurant.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Address: 4566 N. University Dr.
10. Essentials Boutique
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 463-6007
Address: 1851 Cordova Rd.
Description: Essentials carries an eclectic but very Florida mix of accessories and women’s clothing. Many of the items have a tropical, island feel, and after a few days in the area, something funny happens: Even if you don’t wear these types of clothes at home, you often want to do so here. If you’re more interested in jewelry, they carry a fantastic collection, and one of the owners—a gemologist—will also evaluate, appraise, and clean any jewelry you bring in. Girly handbags, shoes, and fun gifts round out the selection.
11. Jimmy Star Fort Lauderdale—Fashion Showroom
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (954) 828-9979
Address: 1940 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Description: If you’ve ever wondered where rock stars shop, this is your place. We didn’t spy any stars on our visit (though we’ve heard rumors), but this is as much a place to pick up perform-on-stage gear as it is decadent and over the top costumes, or just come to browse the wild outfits Bowie wore in the last century and those gracing Lady Gaga in the here and now. Anything from shiny, pink-foiled leggings to leopard-print jackets to sunglasses that make oversized shades look tiny struts its stuff on hangers across the space, and the feathered head gear (or was that a hat? We couldn’t really tell) is truly fantastical.
12. Hallandale’s Farmers Market
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (888) 592-7109 or (954) 456-66
Address: 821 N. Federal Hwy.
Description: Formerly called Big Irv’s Farmers Market, the same establishment is now run under the name Hallandale’s Farmers Market and offers fresh produce at significant discounts compared to local grocery stores. The large bins of citrus fruit are a huge draw, but you can essentially stock up on most in-season fruits and vegetables here, as well as fresh-cut flowers and a handful of baked goods. An excellent choice to stock up on fresh produce—and be sure to print out their online coupon for 10 percent off your purchase at the market.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
15. Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Shopping
Address: 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Description: You’ve never seen a flea market like this. Allegedly the largest flea market in the world, the 88-acre Swap Shop is home to a flea market; a house circus with a carnival atmosphere (rides and games); a farmers’ market featuring Florida goods and oodles of tropical fruits surrounded by an impressive array of food stalls with yummy snacks like seviche and homemade burritos; and a massive drive-in movie theater (no less than 14 screens). More than 2,000 vendors sell goods—anything from art and electronics to furniture and clothing—at rock bottom prices. Open 365 days a year.