The BigTree Blog Sarasota
Where to Shop Around Sarasota: UTC, St. Armands and Beyond
From the Mall at University Town Center to island boutiques, here is where our guests love to shop.
The Mall at University Town Center, usually just called UTC, is the area's largest and newest enclosed mall. It opened in 2014 near Lakewood Ranch, with department stores, popular brands and plenty of restaurants nearby, and it is the go-to for a rainy day or a forgotten swimsuit.
For a more local feel, St. Armands Circle has boutiques, resort wear and gift shops in a palm-lined setting. Downtown Sarasota's Main Street and Palm Avenue mix galleries with clothing and home stores.
On Siesta Key, the Village is full of beach shops for flip-flops, hats and souvenirs. Closer to our Sarasota homes, Gulf Gate has local shops and restaurants, and Southgate has its own shopping center minutes from Sandpiper.
The area keeps growing, with redevelopment underway at older shopping centers, so there is often something new to discover.