Life Isn’t Perfect But Your Outfit Can Be

Whether the doctor prescribed retail therapy or one dose of window shopping, the remedy lies in Greater Gainesville. From shopping districts like Butler Plaza and Celebration Pointe to charming boutiques to the antique shops of High Springs and Waldo, a destination for every shopper can be found along the banks of the retail river that flows through GG.  

 

Butler Shopping District 

Butler Plaza, shopping in Greater Gainesville

Conveniently located along Archer Road in booming Southwest Gainesville is Butler Plaza. With more than 150 stores and 2 million square feet of retail and restaurant space, it is North Central Florida’s largest retail center and a one-stop shop. With three shopping centers within Butler — the Plaza, Town Center and Butler North — shoppers can find everything they need, including grocers like Publix, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, department stores, pet shops and services, sports and outdoor outfitters, abundant dining options and numerous specialty stores. New restaurants and other retailers are popping up in Butler all the time.  

What’s new 

  • Anthropologie 
  • Allie Allure Boutique 
  • Kendra Scott 
  • Rock N’ Roll Sushi 
  • CycleBar 
  • Golden Glow Spray Tans 
  • Mode Aveda Salon 
  • Tillys 
  • Narcissus 
  • Foxtail Coffee 
  • Boot Barn 
  • Jeremiah’s Italian Ice 
  • Athleta 
  • T-Yummi Café 
  • Buff City Soap 
  • 5.11 Tactical 

Coming soon in 2022 

  • Nothing Bundt Cakes 
  • Ford’s Garage 
  • Burlington Coat Factory 

 

The Butler Shopping District was established in 1975 with the opening of Gainesville’s first Publix supermarket. Here, find leading retail stores such as Target, Ashley Homestore, Marshalls and Old Navy. Pop into PetSmart and treat furry friends with a new treat or toy. Highly sought-after stores make a home in the Plaza, including Bath & Body Works, Kirkland’s, Rack Room Shoes and Ross, plus REI Co-op and Sephora in the Butler Town Center. 

In Butler North, shop at Sam’s Club, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Walmart.

In the spirit of giving back, Butler hosts the annual Rock the Runway, a fashion show featuring fashion from Butler’s retailers. Butler hosts many other events throughout the year, including the Easter Extravaganza, European Car Show and Christmas at Butler. 

 

Celebration Pointe 

Palmetto Moon, shopping in Gainesville
Palmetto Moon

This 160-acre, mixed-use property visible from Interstate 75 in Gainesville includes restaurants, a movie theater and shopping, as well as residences, hotels and office spaces. 

Bass Pro Shops welcomes outdoor enthusiasts for all their fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor gear needs. The great outdoors is literally brought inside, with animal mounts throughout the store and a 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium making this shopping destination an experience in itself.  

Celebration Pointe is also home to other popular shops: 

  • Nike Factory Store 
  • Tommy Hilfiger 
  • Sketchers 
  • Palmetto Moon 
  • Flip Flop Shops 
  • International Diamond Center 

More than just a place to shop, Celebration Pointe is a destination for entertainment. Watch the latest flicks on Regal Theater’s 10-screen cinema, play arcade games and grab a bite at Dave & Buster’s, challenge your problem-solving skills at Escapology, take a stroll around the Promenade or attend any one of Celebration Pointe’s events year-round, from live music to races to wine pairing events. 

Celebration Pointe offers a variety of culinary options, ranging from fine dining to fast food: 

  • Ohana Sushi & Asian Cuisine 
  • Kilwins 
  • Le Macaron French Pastries 
  • MidiCi 
  • Miller’s Ale House 
  • Prime & Pearl 
  • Sensei Asian Bistro 
  • Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille 
  • Starbucks 
  • Texas Roadhouse 
  • The Keys Grill & Piano Bar 

 

Oaks Mall

Head over to the Oaks Mall, the shopping center for anything and everything, featuring more than 100 of the most well-known stores.  

Oaks Mall is Gainesville’s host to department stores like JCPenney, Dillard’s and Belk as well as retail stores that appeal to individuals of all ages, including Banana Republic, Forever 21, Altar’d State, Francesca’s, Pandora, H&M, American Eagle and Express.

If all of the shopping worked up an appetite, dine in at one of the multiple restaurants inside. 

 

Beautiful Boutiques Worth Shopping in Greater Gainesville 

 

Tioga Town Center

Down 2 Earth Boutique, Shopping in Gainesville
Down To Earth Boutique

Enjoy the fresh air while shopping at the Tioga Town Center in Jonesville. The open-air shopping experience is home to multiple different shops, all with an inviting experience and atmosphere. 

Down To Earth Boutique brings a little piece of South Florida to the Tioga Town Center. Owner Gina Fox began this cute shop in the Florida Keys back in 1998. Fox strives to capture the feeling of home, with Islamorada’s unique “island vibes.” 

“We were a very small town, local business in Islamorada, and wanted to have the same feel and relationship that we had in our previous town, with our Gainesville friends,” Fox said. 

Looking to dazzle a loved one or bring on the bling? Lang Jewelers or Complete Home Boutique are the places to go. In need of a new nail color to complement those flashy pieces of jewelry? Enso Nail Boutique is located nearby and offers a relaxing and healthier nail experience.  

 

Local Gainesville Shops 

Take a scenic stroll through downtown Gainesville and explore the many shops for a personalized shopping experience with friends or family. With many options from vintage to women’s clothing, there are plenty of places to shop ’til you drop. 

Be sure to factor Etc. Boutique into the shopping budget whenever going for a spree in Gainesville. Sara Young, Gainesville native and owner of this popular women’s clothing store, is a veteran in this business and has the style to prove it. In fact, Etc. just celebrated its 20th anniversary this April. Women of almost any age, size and style can find that piece that makes them feel extra beautiful in this sophisticated, urban-style shop. 

Supporting local businesses has never felt better than at Pinner’s Fine Shoes, a staple among the locals. The mom-and-pop shop has served supplied fabulous footwear for the Gainesville community for more than 50 years. The selection of shoes includes the brand, On — for which Pinner’s is the No. 1 single door retailer in Florida. 

See Also

New to downtown Gainesville is How Bazar, a co-owned creative space and vintage clothing shop. This kaleidoscopic vision is operated by a group of individuals who reflect Gainesville’s diverse and colorful population. By day, visitors sift through colorful vintage fabrics, sip coffee and teas and work on projects or homework. By night, How Bazar is a social hive for music and mingling with friends and strangers alike over a beer or glass of wine at the bar.  

For artisanal products and a picturesque shopping experience, stop by Thornebrook Village. With beautiful landscaping and covered breezeways, the shopping plaza is a pleasant place to stroll through and window shop while escaping the Florida sun. Savor the handmade confections of Thornebrook Chocolates or treat the eyes to some original stained-glass art at McIntyre Stained Glass Studio and Art Gallery. 

Going out west of UF? An excellent shopping opportunity can be found in Haile Plantation. The Haile Village features a variety of restaurants, boutiques, shops and pubs to appeal to every taste. There are also events to be enjoyed such as Easter egg hunts, Hot-Rodding for Heroes and Oktoberfest, that are almost too much fun to miss. 

 

Downtown High Springs 

Unique Notions, Shopping in Gainesville
Unique Notions

With the cutest, walkable downtown historic district, High Springs is home to several mom-and-pop shops and boutiques.  

For some of the trendiest women’s clothing around, visit Madson Boutique. Unique Notions, also with a location in Gainesville, is a window shopper’s dream with artisan candles, curated vintage clothing, health and beauty products, décor and more. Outdoor Life can supply the family with all the right gear before hitting the nearby springs. 

Whether making this an excursion on a shopping spree or the single destination for the day, High Springs’ downtown district has got the shopping list covered. 

 

Vintage Vogue and Antique Shopping Adventures in Gainesville

Greater Gainesville is home to several small, historic towns, where history is kept very much alive. The numerous antique shops and vintage stores are a testament to this. They are a destination among antique enthusiasts from all over.  

Explore the 25,000-square-foot Smiley’s Antique Mall in Micanopy. Open since 1994, the huge mall is packed with hidden treasures.  

The Waldo Antique Village offers antiquity experiences that are second to none. Dig through relics from days of the past, revel in that special find and add a bold new-yet-old accent to bring home. 

The small town of LaCrosse also has its own Antique Center. Housed in a historic building in the downtown district, carve out some time to browse through this shop — all three floors, 75 booths and 20,000 square feet of it. 

Be sure to put a stop to High Springs on the list if in search of antiques or gorgeous vintage finds. Several vintage shops line the main thoroughfares through downtown — including Main Street Antique Mall, Decades, The Mantle, The Birds Nest and the Antiques Center of High Springs. 

 

By Laura Parrinello 

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