5 minute read
Retail Treasures
When it comes to shopping, miami is a kaleidoscope of malls, retail hubs and shopping districts.
By Dayana Rivero
From designer names selling straight-from-the-runway couture to small boutiques with exquisitely curated one-of-a-kind gifts, virtually every Miami neighborhood has options to fit your Miami vibe.
South Beach: Always Fashion Forward
With national name brands as well as local unique treasures, the stores that line the southern blocks of Miami Beach’s Collins Avenue offer an array of known names like GUESS, Armani Exchange and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as options to attract the younger crowd with affordable fashion like H&M and Zara. Originally opened in 2009 by Laure Heriard Dubreuil, The Webster is a warm and welcoming multi-brand luxury boutique for men and women that specializes in French luxury brands such as Balenciaga, Chanel and Balmain.
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Shopping Al Fresco on Lincoln Road
This shopaholic’s paradise features a variety of 135 stores, from Anthropologie to Swarovski and Tissot. Stroll down its outdoor pedestrian-only thoroughfare to find national names as well as unique local boutiques like Alchemist. Designed by Rene Gonzalez Architecture to look like a “glass box,” this boutique is located on the fifth level of the Herzog & de Meuron–designed 1111 Lincoln Road building and specializes in creative designer collections and unique collaborations.
All-day shopping is best done with a gelato on hand. Grab one to go while you admire street performers or stop and savor while you people-watch. If you have worked up a more serious appetite, Lincoln Road has restaurants to please your every craving with block after block of tempting global flavors.
Tucked away between Washington and Pennsylvania Avenues, Española Way is a small walkable enclave of beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture dating back to the 1920s and a perfect place for a daytime or evening stroll. Explore its small art galleries, bars and unique gift shops while feeling transported to a breezy beachside Spanish village.
It’s not Miami Beach without a small dose of weird. Located at the corner of Washington Avenue and 12th Street, Beatnix is a funky and hip costume shop filled with wacky ensembles and accessories. Meanwhile, Surf Style — with locations on Washington Avenue, Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road — is a “must” for swimwear and souvenirs. Sometimes, the most fashionable item you buy is one you can ride. Fritz’s Skate Bike & Surf rents bicycles, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters. Make sure to choose one that complements your outfit.
Just a short distance from Lincoln Road, Sunset Harbour is a breezy retail hub that allows you to shop with a side of gorgeous water views. Find stores like Peace Love World, where fashion comes with a positive message. Blush is a one-stop-shop for trendy and affordable pieces, and Eberjey is a boutique selling intimate apparel.
Fashion Nirvana at Bal Harbour Shops
A haute-couture sanctuary located on the northern suburbs of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour Shops is a tropical oasis for discerning shoppers who flock to its lush gardens, beautiful fountains and ponds and indulge their inner fashionistas. Relax while you stroll from designer store to designer store in this open-air upscale mall that is home to many of the world’s largest fashion and jewelry houses: from Versace to Tom Ford, Chanel, Fendi and Gucci. You can also find delectable eateries to turn your shopping excursion into a full day of bliss.
Mike’s Cigars is located two blocks from Bal Harbour Shops and offers an extensive selection of premium cigars and accessories imported from France, Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, nearby Surfside is where you’ll find Gray & Sons, where you can restore your treasured watch to its former glory. This establishment “turns back the clock” on legacy timepieces and also sells a variety of known brands and jewelry.
Have It All in Downtown Miami
Ideally located just a few blocks from the American Airlines Arena and overlooking sparkling Biscayne Bay, Bayside Marketplace is Miami’s most happening outdoor mall, featuring live music and family-friendly attractions around the area’s wonderful shopping. Options include known names like GUESS and the Disney Store, as well as smaller boutiques and waterfront restaurants. Bayside will soon have a new attraction that will have guests soaring above it all and enjoying some incredible Miami views. Sky Views America is currently building a 176-foot tall observation wheel next to the Hard Rock Cafe with glass-enclosed gondolas that will each hold eight people and give them a thrilling 15-minute loop.
Sustainable Luxury in Brickell
Experience four distinctive levels of luxury at Brickell City Centre. This landmark mixed-use development boasts 5.4 million square feet of retail space, worldclass dining and premium entertainment, including the first CMX movie theater in the U.S. with reclining chairs and full bar. Anchored by a Saks Fifth Avenue, upscale boutiques and luxury retailers like Giuseppe Zanotti, Ted Baker and Porsche Design will keep you
browsing while its trendy restaurants refuel your retail journey. The striking structure itself is more than just a pretty face. Its innovative Climate Ribbon™ is an outdoor elevated trellis that serves as an innovative environmental management system that protects guests from inclement weather while collecting rainwater and even helps regulate temperature by harnessing ocean breezes.
Local Color in Wynwood
While the very mention of Wynwood brings visions of graffiti-painted warehouses dancing in your head, the shopping possibilities here are just as eclectic. Upscale retailers like Boho Hunter and Nomad Tribe offer trendy, contemporary and even bohemian styles that support the painstaking work of artisans from around the world. Meanwhile, Marine Layer sells petal-soft, eco-friendly tees made from recycled materials for both men and women. Frangipani is known to be the place for quirky accessories and gifts. The Shops at Wynwood Marketplace is a haven for curious pop-ups selling artisanal jewelry, wearable art and cool eats.
Artful Finds in the Design District
Located near Wynwood, the Miami Design District is a neighborhood dedicated to high-end design and ultraluxury shopping. With more than 55 home décor shops and fashion boutiques like Roche Bobois, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Jonathan Adler, the Design District lets you shop at your leisure surrounded by artful structures and inspiring public spaces like the Jungle Plaza, The Vortex mural and the iconic Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome” at the center of Palm Court. Nearby, Politan Row is the area’s chef-driven food hall concept offering creative, shareable dishes, including some delicious vegan options.
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Shop ’Til You Drop in Aventura
Located in the northernmost suburb of Miami-Dade County, Aventura Mall has become the most well-known mall in Miami… and that was before they installed a stylish giant slide that can be seen from the causeway. From its extensive collection of designer brands — think Tiffany & Co., Burberry and Louis Vuitton — to a vast offering of restaurants and specialty stores, Aventura Mall also has family-friendly activities, weekend farmers markets and art installations to admire while you shop.
