St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2009 - (Page 23) By Lynn Waddell 11 10 Clearwater Beach 9 8 Clearwater 12 (3.5 Miles) Gas Plant Antique Arcade. :ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Find a piece of treasure or just enjoy searching for one in cozy antiques districts. One of the largest antiques malls in Florida, the Gas Plant Antique Arcade in St. Petersburg has four stories packed with antique furniture, glassware, books and vintage jewelry from 150 vendors. About 12 blocks away in the Grand Central District, peruse a cluster of shops along Central Avenue. At Antique Alley in Belleair Bluff, antiquing is convenient in a tight village of one-story buildings holding more than a dozen shops, including one that specializes in antiques for cat lovers and another in antique dolls. There are seven antiques stores and malls within the same block in historic downtown Tarpon Springs. The Court of Two Sisters, with more than 30 vendors, is a good place to start. Details about these and other shopping venues are on p. 76; for more information, go to www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com. 6 5 7 St. Petersburg 123 4 In this story 1 Grand Central District 2 BayWalk 3 The Pier 4 Gulfport 5 Corey Avenue 6 John's Pass Village 7 Tyrone Square Mall 8 Dunedin 9 Safety Harbor 10 Westfield Countryside Mall 11 Tarpon Springs 12 International Plaza • Historic Corey Avenue – There’s a retro vibe to St. Pete Beach’s main street, which has an eclectic assortment of independent stores offering everything from beads to Christmas ornaments to top-notch cigars. • John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk – This may be the only shopping village where you can spot a dolphin as you stroll from shop to shop. The large shopping village overlooks historic John’s Pass, a narrow, natural channel to the Gulf. You’ll discover many treasures here have a nautical theme, but you can also buy everything from a new bikini to a collectible concert poster to an airbrushed T-shirt. • Major shopping malls – Familiar department stores such as Macy’s and Dillard’s and more than 170 specialty stores make up Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg. You’ll find those and a place to cool your heels at Clearwater’s Westfield Countryside Mall, which has an ice rink. For high-end stores such as Tiffany and Nordstrom’s, go to International Plaza and Bay Street in Tampa, a half-hour drive from St. Petersburg. • Dunedin – This quaint town of Scottish heritage is filled with independent retailers, many with an artist’s temperament. Shop for prints, antiques, old-fashioned toys, art and trendy fashions in what’s been tagged the “best little walking town in America, by Walking magazine. ” • Safety Harbor – Because Safety Harbor is a small residential town, it may not have as many shops as the major malls, but what it lacks in number it makes up for in ambiance. The relaxing vibe of the heralded springs that gave rise to its famous Safety Harbor Resort & Spa flavors the old-fashioned Main Street, comprised of antiques stores, an impressive art gallery, day spas and a new retail block – complete with Starbucks. • Tarpon Springs – There are many types of retailers along the historic sponge docks, but the top treasures come from the sea – natural sponges. Small shops around the docks sell all sizes, as well as shells, sand dollars and treasures from the sea. In the historic downtown area, find a winery and enough antiques stores to keep you entertained for hours. Tarpon Springs. www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com 23 http://www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com http://www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
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