Olde Englewood Village
Oozing with old Florida charm, Olde Englewood Village is quaint, laid-back, yet sophisticated—especially when it comes to shopping. A cache of antiques and home decorating stores lines West Dearborn Street, a dusty (or should we say sandy) little main thoroughfare that ends just short of breathtaking Lemon Bay. Hours of delightful browsing await, revealing a trove of artisan crafts, coastal decorating finds and extraordinary European vintage furnishings.
A Chicago-style pizza parlor and several restaurants that evoke images of lazy bistros in French or British Caribbean isles provide delicious options for shopping breaks. Factor in visits to Manasota Key’s picturesque Hermitage Artist Retreat and the Englewood Art Center, each a short distance away, and don’t forget to support the homegrown talents featured at the Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay (gallery) and Lemon Bay Playhouse (community theater), both on Dearborn.
Patio in Paradise At Mango Bistro, Ricardo Roggero and his artist wife, Marie Laforge, serve up specialties of their homelands. He’s Brazilian (hence the exquisite coffee blends), and her passion for creative crêpes began in her native Grenoble. Mango Bistro, 301 W. Dearborn St. (941) 681-3500.
Beach basix
World Class
Thrill of the Hunt
Design Star
Chockablock
Gallery Gifts
The Arts Alliance of Lemon Bay Exhibit & Learning Center, 477 & 479 W. Dearborn St., (941) 475-7141, displays everything from jewelry by Beverly Gerety ($30) to a walnut and maple bowl, above, ($800) crafted by Don Cioffi. Across the street, muralist/owner Judy Plank hand-paints accent furniture pieces (end table, $199) in a studio visible to customers browsing a dazzling array of tropical gifts. Daylilies, 452 W. Dearborn St. (941) 473-1840. Elizabeth Bryant’s gallery features her own jewelry creations (from $45), plus necklaces (from $40 to $200) crafted of sea glass, leather, beads and more by Janice Copperstone (shown above). Elizabeth Bryant Gallery & Boutique 200 W. Dearborn St., (941) 475-0785.