You can’t beat the shopping in beach towns. The best ones have everything you need, like quirky beach-themed shops, trendy boutique stores, flea markets, and discount outlet malls. Bradenton is one of those places. If you’re shopping for the holidays, or just shopping for the fun of it, Bradenton has it all.
One of the most well known shopping attractions here is the Red Barn Plaza Flea Market. There are hundreds of booths and shops with local vendors selling quality goods, fresh produce, or antiques. This often feels like a treasure hunt, so make sure you have your game face on! Much of the market is open air, which also means it’s all the safer during a pandemic.
Pink and Navy is my idea of the perfect beach boutique. They’ve got hip and trendy clothes for everyone in the family – men, women, and even children. They are also a small business that gives back to the community, so you can feel good about where your money is going. Their fair trade and environmentally friendly items are often locally made and high quality. Check out their fun gift packages, like the self-care loungewear bundle, the chillin’ with my squad bundle, and the happy hour bundle.
Who doesn’t love a good outlet? Well, just across Manatee River, you’ll find the Ellenton Premium Outlets, where big names like J.Crew, Levi’s and Nike sell high quality clothing at factory prices. Wear your favorite brands and save some money while doing it!
If you’re shopping for outdoor accessories, AMI is the place to go. They are the ones who know what they’re talking about when it comes to sporting gear. Whether you’re into stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, fly-fishing, or just need some accessories for your boating trip like a cooler, sunglasses or hats, you’ll find the best of the best here.
I had never heard of the word Olivepenuer until we met Kelly at the Olive Oil Outpost. She truly lives up to the name, as her collection of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, pestos, pastas, wines and cheeses is truly exceptional. We especially loved all of the flavors of vinegars, like apricot, blueberry, fig, grapefruit and jalapeno lime, to name a few.
One of my favorite things to do when traveling to a new area is to check out the farmers’ market. It usually tells you a lot about the place. And the Bradenton Farmers’ Market is a gem. Filled with local chefs, farmers, artisans and musicians who are all passionate about what they do, you really get a feel for how much care the locals put into their crafts.
