Foodies in the Naples area dream they died and went to Oakes Farms. Because it has been a to-die-for source of fresh produce for as long as many residents can remember. Its marketplace in East Naples has blossomed into so much more than the produce and products that come from the 20-year Oakes dynasty, plus it has spawned an even huger counterpart in North Naples. Oakes Farms promotes the seed to table movement through its marketplace and delivery to restaurants. For the shopper, that means you can get a good hot (or cold) meal while you shop for everything you could possibly need for your next meals, from potted fruit trees to seafood, meat, bakery goods, coffee beans, wine and key lime pie. The selections are top shelf and exclusive and often organic.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: This is the definitive shop for local foodies with edible souvenirs to take home.
Chelle's expert tip: Oakes Farms products include dressings such as peach pecan, apple pecan and roasted garlic with Vidalia onion and sweet pepper vinaigrette. There are fuzzy navel and zesty horseradish jams, plus fresh salsa and guac.
First, let's dispense with any notion that Naples might be a big surfing destination. It's not. When winter and tropical storms whip up, you will see surfers head to the beach. Nonetheless, every Florida town has its surf shops, and Naples is no exception. It's a refreshing presence along tony Third Street South's designer shops and claims to be "Naples original surf shop since 1983." It does sell and rent surfboards and gear as well as paddleboards, skimboards and skateboards: typical surf shop fare. If you're looking for souvenirs for young adults on your list, you will find here all the name-brand surf wear for guys and girls. The shop also sells its own logo line of T-shirts and rash guards, which make great localized gifts.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Naples oldest "surf shop," it sells gear and souvenirs to support the destination's water sports reputation.
Chelle's expert tip: Skimboarding is more dependable and common than surfing in Naples, and this shop sells equipment and gives lessons.
Norman Love equates to the most luscious chocolates, truffles and other beautiful desserts in Southwest Florida. Possibly the country: He and his staff of merry chocolate makers regularly win awards nationwide. Started in neighboring Fort Myers, Love (really his name) has expanded the reach of his product to fine restaurants around the state. He opened his Naples salon a few years later to the joy of local residents. His desserts are eye-candy works of art that often make use of Florida and tropical ingredients such as key lime, coconut and passion fruit. His line of products include white, milk and dark chocolate plus his signature black chocolate that features cacao from some of the most elite regions of the world, including Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Known nationwide, Norman Love chocolates from its Southwest Florida home base makes a true and sweet souvenir.
Chelle's expert tip: Norman Love also makes and sells delicious, authentic gelato.
Naples Soap Company opened its first store in Tin City in 2009 and has since expanded to five other upscale locations throughout Florida. Founder Deanna Renda suffered eczema and psoriasis. She founded the company to relieve her symptoms and those of others with similar afflictions through the use of natural and organic ingredients. She cleverly localized the scents of her soaps, sea salt scrubs, body butters and moisturizer sticks. Her soaps, for instance, come in "flavors" such as grapefruit tea tree sea salt, Florida key lime, Florida rum runner, orange slice, pineapple cilantro salt and two-toned Florida sunrise/sunset sea salt.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The company's soaps have quickly become a favorite of locals, expanding throughout Florida.
Chelle's expert tip: The loofah soaps build a ring of loofah into the soap - very cool!
Marco Island, as the jumping off point for Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, runs on boat horsepower. So it follows that one of the most apt souvenirs you can buy would be for sale at a marina. You will be surprised that the ship's store at Rose Marco River Marina carries so much more than boating and fishing supplies. It is the best place in town to find boating, fishing and Florida-appropriate men's and women's wear. It starts with a line of Columbia shirts - the unofficial fishing uniform shirt of Florida. From there, you can find everything from sandals and shorts to dresses and jewelry. Oh, and by the way, you can also find fishing gear and boat supplies.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: It is the best place in town to find boating, fishing and Florida-appropriate men's and women's wear.
Chelle's expert tip: Don't expect to find bargains here, but the line of clothing is unlike anywhere else on the island.
What better souvenir to capture the essence of a place than a work of art inspired and created there. It does not have to be an expensive piece of work by a name-brand local artist, of which you will find plenty in the Naples area. To find affordable works by local artists that offer a sense of place in the bargain, head to the Gift Store at the Center for the Arts near downtown Bonita Springs. The work created here by members of the community in the center's studios and classes is for sale on site. Clever wall hangings made from palm fronds, fused glass and other artistic jewelry, beachscape paintings, ceramic creations, note cards and prints make wonderful mementos of a visit. In addition, the gift shop sells toys and games that bring out the creative spark in children, plus art supplies.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The gift shop sells locally inspired works of art at affordable prices.
Chelle's expert tip: Check the center's web site to see what's showing in the gallery, where you might find a piece of fine art worth paying extra for.
Nothing says "Naples" like jewelry. The town is virtually dripping with gold, diamonds and precious gems. Nothing says "Naples jewelry" more specifically than downtown's Cleopatra's Barge. When Marilyn Janss first opened her jewelry shop on Third Street South, the street was so quiet she would often hang a "Gone Fishing" sign on the doorknob and grab her rod and reel. Nearly 50 years later, Janss is still designing gold pieces and selling jewelry of all sorts in the small shop. She is most famous for her Naples Medallion, which depicts the Naples Pier in gold for bracelets, charms and exquisite diamond-wreathed pendants. In recent years, she has also designed medallions featuring the Marco Cat, an ancient, iconic archaeological find from Marco Island.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Cleopatra's Barge makes the iconic Naples Medallion and other local-centric pieces.
Chelle's expert tip: Besides Naples Medallion jewelry, the sealife line of charms, earrings and pins make lovely wearable mementos.
When The Baker Museum of opened in North Naples in 2000, it sparked a love of glass art with its treasured Dale Chihuly Persian Ceiling and two chandelier art pieces. Gallery One leads the trend; it has been specializing in the art form for more than 25 years. Gallery One strives to create an artistic environment for colorful conversation, and glass lends itself to that process. Its contemporary glass work runs the range from steam-blown glass to polished glass. The gallery also represents artists in various mediums including sculpture, oil paintings, jewelry, wall art and fine crafts.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Galleries are a major part of the Naples shopping experience, and this one represents a predilection for glass art.
Chelle's expert tip: Many of Gallery One's glass sculptures are inspired by the sea - a perfect souvenir of Naples' nature and art crossbred.
Sometimes you find the best souvenirs at attraction gift shops. The Nature Store at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is one of the best for nature-lovers and souvenir-seekers alike. Set at the edge of Everglades habitat, the attraction celebrates local nature, and so does its store. Besides the expected logo T-shirts, hats and other clothing, it carries attire and gear featuring Corkscrew's flora and fauna. Books cover birding, native vegetation and all topics relating to South Florida nature. For kids, there are toys and games that make nature fun. Art, jewelry and other gifts are all nature-themed. And even better, proceeds from all purchases benefit wildlife and its habitat.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Natural attractions make up a huge part of Naples character; nature gifts are a perfect souvenir.
Chelle's expert tip: Another great place to find nature-related toys, books and gifts is the shop at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida's Nature Center.
Often called the "Ansel Adams of Florida," Clyde Butcher has become a legend in these parts by heightening awareness of the Florida Everglades through the beauty of large-format, black-and-white images. He has gone on to capture local beaches and other natural landscapes across Florida, the U.S. and beyond. His dramatic images have the power to draw you into the picture so you feel as though you are there. Tucked into a small plot in the midst of the Everglades, Butcher's gallery sells his limited edition prints and books of images. They are known for their dramatic clouds and exquisite detail.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Clyde Butcher is one of Florida's most well-known nature photographers.
Chelle's expert tip: Ask about swamp slogs through the cypress wetland that surrounds the gallery.