Miami Beach Adds Sunshine to Holiday Shopping Lists

EON

Holiday Shopping in Miami Beach Is Like No Other Place In the World!

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Forget Fifth Avenue and say goodbye to the snow covered winter markets of Europe; holiday shopping has a new home – Miami Beach. The Beach is the perfect destination to work on those fading tans and that holiday shopping list at the same time. Holiday sales are expected to exceed $586 billion this year according to the National Retail Federation, so where should consumers go to make the most of their hard earned cash? Miami Beach offers visitors gift ideas galore but the best gift may be time spent shopping in the tropical paradise with an average winter temperature of 70 degrees.

Miami Beach packs a vast selection of world renowned shops into a mere 18.7 sunny square miles, making it the ideal destination for the traveler who loves variety and lives to shop. Comprised of retail-heavy districts connected by boutique hotel shops, pop-up stores and weekend morning markets, Miami Beach’s diversity of shops makes finding something for everyone on your holiday list as easy as an Atlantic Ocean breeze.

Shopping hot spots include Lincoln Road, an outdoor mall with a trendy mix of stores, including the brand new H+M housed in an Art Deco-era theater, art stores, thrift shops, and book boutiques. A few blocks away, shoppers on Espanola Way are transported to another world. Stroll through European-style, pedestrian-friendly streets, known to be the former hangout of infamous gangster Al Capone. Recently donned “Miami’s Best Block”, Espanola Way is the place for unique clothing and handmade jewelry. Walk a little further South on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, shoppers will find themselves surrounded by sun kissed models sporting the latest fashions, and upscale shops like Armani, Versace and Nicole Miller.

North of Miami Beach, the village of Bal Harbour boasts the Bal Harbour Shops, known as the most productive luxury fashion shopping center in America. The Bal Harbour Shops has an exquisite collection of designer boutiques such as Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Harry Winston, just to name a few.

Miami Beach’s guide to the greatest holiday shopping is here. Pack those flip flops and head to Miami Beach, holiday shopping list in-hand, and warm up your winter.

Holiday Shopping For Everyone on the List

The Book Worm– The Readery

Located in the lobby of The Standard Spa Miami Beach, the newly opened pop-up Readery offers vintage reads by Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, Ken Kesey and J.D. Salinger as well as Warby Parker glasses. Be sure to stop by the vintage newsstand-inspired store to grab your favorite first editions while they last. Don’t forget the spectacles!

The Surfer– FirstShop

This boutique surf shop, owned by Miami natives and avid surfers, boasts the latest trends for surfers, skateboarders and stand-up paddleboard fanatics with a friendly and knowledgeable staff located less than 50 sandy steps from Miami Beach.

The Art Connoisseur– Art Basel Miami Beach

For many, Art Basel Miami Beach is an international display of world class art. But for the uber rich, the festival is a market for high-end art pieces like the $3 million painting sold by Germany’s Gerhard Richter at last year’s Art Basel Miami Beach. Art Basel Miami Beach runs December 6-9, 2012.

The Resort Traveler– Guy and Girl

Located on the lobby level of the newly redesigned Shelborne Hotel, GUYandGIRL provides contemporary resort-wear for the style savvy customer. The shop sells light cover ups, accessories, bags and shoes and has quickly become a favorite of both locals and travelers alike.

The Dog Lover– Dog Bar

So SoBe, Dog Bar is the nation’s most unique full service luxury specialty shop with the latest and greatest merchandise for the privileged pet like plush dog beds, leather collars and designer carrier bags for pampered puppies.

The Man Child- KidRobot

This toy store is the premier shop for limited edition Art Toys, signature apparel and pop culture accessories like Matt Groening’s The Simpsons Homer Buddha.

The Dwyane Wade Wannabe– Mr. R. Sports

Since 1973, Mr. R. Sports has been the number one independent athletic footwear and apparel retailer in Miami Beach. The shop carries top brands and even offers a free run club (with an in store discount) that every Thursday nights for both locals and visitors.

The Foodie- Joe’s Stone Crab

Give the gift of stone crab from Miami Beach’s Iconic Joe’s Stone Crab. The restaurant has been supplying Miami Beach visitors and locals fresh seafood for over 100 years and now packs and ships their famous stone crab claws and key lime pies.

The Hipster– Base

One of GQ’s twelve favorite stores in the world, Base is a lifestyle boutique selling quality selection on everything from music to clothes to books. The flagship store on Lincoln Road is in its 17^th year and is accompanied by niche hotel shops in Miami Beach, NYC and London.

The Treasure Hunter– Out of the Closet

The bohemian consignment and vintage shops offers fun finds for those who know where to look. Find a funky scarf or vintage Chanel, what’s in store is always a mystery.

The Fast and Furious– Miami International Auto Show

From classics to the contemporary, the Miami International Auto Show is the perfect place to cruise for the next set of wheels. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the show runs November 9-18, 2012.

The Spa Lover- Bliss South Beach

Renowned for delivering the world’s best facials, massages, waxing and nail services, Bliss on Miami Beach delivers highly effective treatments that transform not only appearance but state of mind. Stop by to get a treatment then give the gift of a unique ‘bliss’-perience in the home with products designed to make spa-goers look and feel healthy, beautiful and happy every day.

The High-End Fashionista– Alchemist at 1111

Alchemist, perched high atop the designer 1111 parking garage on Miami Beach, is a luxury multi-brand designer clothing store with two locations on Lincoln Road. In addition to designer brands like Celine, Givenchy, Alaia and Rick Owens, the store also stocks high end jewelry, bespoke perfumes and candles, and selection of lifestyle products ranging from limited edition art books and signed artist editions.

The Tailor Made Man– The Webster

Housed in a historical Art Deco building designed in 1939, the Webster is a three-level boutique devoted to ready to wear fashion including designer suits by Dsquared2 and Maison Martin Margiela

The Sun Goddess– Beach Bunny Swimwear

Want to look like a Sports Illustrated cover model? Head over to Beach Bunny on Collins Avenue for a boutique filled with barely there suits for beach bunnies who want to be bronze all over. Kate Upton is not included with purchase, sorry.

About the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

The MBVCA is a seven member authority, appointed by the City of Miami Beach Commission, with the goal of encouraging, developing and promoting the image of Miami Beach locally, nationally and internationally as a vibrant community and superb tourist destination. To this end, the MBVCA strategically focuses its funding investments in a balanced manner, fostering outstanding existing programs, stimulating new activities, and encouraging partnerships. The MBVCA is committed to a careful, long-term plan for allocation of resources to build the uniqueness of Miami Beach as ones of the world’s greatest communities and tourism destinations.

About Miami Beach

With an average year-round temperature of 75 degrees, Miami Beach has an unrivaled reputation for culinary offerings, nightlife, culture, fashion, and luxurious hotels. Also a popular destination among travelers, Miami Beach was recently ranked by Trip Advisor as number one on its Top Winter Sun Vacation Rental Getaway Destinations for 2011 list and was included on both the Top 25 Beaches in the World and Top 25 Destinations in the U.S. lists. Boasting seven miles of breathtaking beaches, Miami Beach is easily accessible from the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport. The City of Miami Beach has just been named one of the top cities worldwide for ‘walkability’ and is equally easy to navigate by bike or by boat. Home to unique museums, to the New World Symphony and Miami City Ballet, to over 17,000 luxury, boutique and resort hotel rooms, 12 public parks and to the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach is a destination for all seasons. Miami Beach is like no other place in the world!