Anna Maria Island is the perfect vacation destination and is unique on several fronts. Of course our sugar sand beaches, 37′ building restrictions, Free Trolley Service, and combination of full time residents and tourists make our little island a “peace” of paradise that continues to gain popularity as more and more visit. [Read more...]
Lois greets you at the door, as she works on more Creations
Looking for some shiny treasure while you are at the beach? You need to look no further than Creations by L! Tucked in the little shopping center across from Catcher’s Marina at 5500 Marina Dr. Suite 2 in Holmes Beach, is a great little shop where you can pick up your own Island treasure. This lovely little spot has beautiful jewelry hand made by store owner Lois Manza. If you are looking for something to sparkle in the gorgeous Anna Maria Island sun, you can pick up a ready made piece off the shelf. If you have something specific in mind, want to create a custom keepsake of your trip, or need a rainy day activity, you can head to the beading table, and create your own masterpiece. The selections range to fit any budget including glass beads, semi-precious stones, and even Swarovski crystals. Lois will help you create something to be proud of! Throughout the year Lois hosts beading classes, so check with her to see when you can come in and learn the tricks of the trade! [Read more...]
There is fantastic shopping to be had on Anna Maria Island however some
Brandon Mall Entrance
shop-a-holics need more. Sure Anna Maria Island has lots of shopping opportunities but if you are looking for 100′s of sneakers to choose from, 100′s of different pants, shirts, blouses or Jeans then visiting anyone of our malls within an hour drive of Anna Maria Island will fill that shopping need you have.
The White Egret is located on Gulf Drive in Anna Maria City. The White Egret is in a great location in Anna Maria City right off Gulf Drive. Hit the Sandbar or Rudy’s for lunch and then take a short stroll over to the shop in Anna Maria that specializes in Coastal home goods. The White Egret is full of original treasures including home accents, bedding, bath goods, candles, floral, tabletop products, linens and more.
The White Egret also offers custom floral design. They have on staff designers that can create all types of original displays for all occasions. Make sure you stop into the White Egret on each visit to Anna Maria Island. You won’t be sorry, the owners are continually changing their handpicked items for sale. There is always a perfect gift all year around for a friendly neighbor, business associate, or family member.
For Women’s apparel and jewelery, walk next door to the Egret’s Nest.
The White Egret
10006 Gulf Drive
Anna Maria City, Fl, 34216
Anna Maria Island has many shopping stores however the largest “chain” grocery store we have on the island is located in Holmes Beach. It’s very close to the public beach and there is plenty of other shopping nearby. CVS, Walgreens, ACE Hardware, Gift Shops, and restaurants are all very close. Of course the free trolley has a stop just outside the grocery store.
Publix is like most grocery stores but maybe a little smaller than your local grocery store back home. They have a full bakery, deli, fresh produce, and fresh fish. You can pick up a last minute rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, pre-made deli cold salads, sushi, and a sub sandwich made fresh.
Publix Website
3900 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-5422
(941) 779-2712 FAX
If you are interested in accommodations within a walk away from Publix check out our website or here is a small list of vacation rentals we have within a walk from Publix. Just a reminder the FREE trolley can get you to the grocery store from just about any location on Anna Maria Island…
4002 6th avenue, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 private home with heated pool
Sandy Point unit 207, Holmes Beach, FL – 2/2 condo with heated community pool
Sun Bow Bay unit 206, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 condo with tennis courts and community pool
Two Sides of Nature in Anna Maria City
Two Sides of Nature is as close as a franchise that Anna Maria Island has ever seen. With six locations and three being on Anna Maria Island it still has a great small town feel. They also have a location on Longboat Key.
Two Sides of Nature pride themselves as being the premier Southwest Florida shop for 100% cotton colorful clothing and sportswear. They offer high quality T-shirts as well. Great quality logos such as Life is good and old guys rule, Two Sides offers great colorful apparel. Two Sides of Nature also has a great selection of baseball caps as well as a few unique hats.
Looking for some beachy nick nacks? Two Sides has some of that as well. Regardless of where you are visiting on Anna Maria Island there is a Two Sides of Nature within 3 miles from you. Whether it be the Anna Maria City shop or the two located in Bradenton Beach on Bridge Street stop by and pick up a great T-shirt for your mom, dad, pet sitter, or treat yourself to a peruvian cotton T-shirt.
I almost forgot the best part of all about visiting Two Sides of Nature in Anna Maria City. Two Scoops ice cream is right next door to the Anna Maria City location. So, do some shopping and then head over to Two scoops for some great ice cream and then take a walk across the street to the public pier. Walk the Anna Maria City pier while enjoying your ice cream and see what fish are biting.
Two Signs of Nature
Two Sides of Nature
Anna Maria City, Fl
Bayview Plaza
101 South Bay Blvd
(941) 779-2432
Two Sides of Nature
Bradenton Beach, Fl
119 Bridge Street
(941) 779-1237
Two Sides of Nature
Bradenton Beach, Florida
108 Bridge Street
(941) 779-1238
Two Sides of Nature
Longboat Key, FL
5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive
(941) 387-1762
Great fish selection at the Fresh Fish Market
The Fish Market on Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach is a great local shop to purchase really great, fresh local fish. They offer a wonderful selection of fresh catches such as red snapper, salmon, shrimp, and much more. The selection changes daily with the availability of the fish. They only offer the freshest fish, thus the name Fresh Fish Market! When you order your fish, they fillet it for you right on the spot and also offer some really great recipe ideas. If you are unsure of the best cooking methodology just ask, they are pros and can give you plenty of ideas on how to cook your fresh Anna Maria Island seafood. The Fresh Fish Market located in Holmes Beach often has several seafood recipe cards sitting out for ideas on what to have for dinner or lunch. On our most recent visit the Ahi Tuna with Mango & Avocado recipe card caught my eye and will be our next seafood cooking adventure.
The Fresh Fish Market of Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island has more than just raw fish, they also offer a selection of fresh made soups such as New England Clam Chowder. The Fresh Fish market also has a variety of fresh spices and organic foods provided by Front Door Organics.
If you are looking for a quick bite to eat they have a small spot to sit and offer fresh made to order salads that can have freshly prepared fish or shrimp added on top! Wonderful selections of hot chocolate, vegetables, and fruit.
The Fresh Fish Market of Anna Maria Island is a must visit if cooking fresh seafood is on your list of things to do while on Vacation.
Fresh Fish Market
5604 Marina Dr.
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
941-567-6130
If cooking in is not exactly your cup of tea then there are plenty of restaurants to choose from on Anna Maria Island. Visit Island Real Estate‘s Anna Maria Island restaurant information page for more choices on dining out.
There is plenty of art to be found on Anna Maria Island. The artist guild is located in the Island Shopping center located on Manatee Avenue and features various artists. The guild boasts more than 30 various artists so there is plenty of art to choose from. The shop proudly displays original fine art, watercolor, photography, silk paintings, oil, acrylic, pottery, sculptures, local writers books, custom jewelery, and of course art that shows off fabulous Anna Maria Island as well as our local seascapes.
The Anna Maria guild provides a free art workshop with a different artist each month. Visit the Anna Maria artist guild website for a calendar of events and the topic of choice for the month you plan to visit the island. Normally the workshop is from 11 AM – 12:00 PM towards the beginning of each month.
Anna Maria Artist Guild
Island Shopping Center
5414 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, Fl, 34217
(941) 778-6694
If you need to rent a beach cottage or luxury villa, be sure to visit Anna Maria Island’s leading vacation rental company.
Ace Hardware on Anna Maria Island, Fl offers a great deal of variety for a hardware store. Of course you can get nuts, 
bolts, screws, nails, and other hardware inside the fairly large store. Light bulbs, small portable propane tanks, garden tools, sunglasses, kitchen items, beach items, gifts, candy, soda, and outdoor items. The store has plenty of hired help to assist with any questions. Most have great knowledge of Anna Maria Island so you can kill a few birds with one stone with just one visit to Ace Hardware.
There is plenty to do in the outdoor plaza that Ace is located in…Subway, Peaches, Walgreens, and plenty of shopping can all be found in the East Bay plaza in Holmes Beach.
Ace Hardware
3352 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, Fl, 34217
(941) 778-0999
Just a reminder, Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island is here to help with all your vacation rental or real estate needs. Give us a call if you think we can help!
Walgreens in Holmes Beach, Florida is no different than most of the Walgreens around the United States. A few variations would include lots of beach type toys as well as more than your usual varieties of sun block. You can find medication, 
grooming supplies, greeting cards, limited jewelery and household items. Our Walgreens also can handle photo development and they have plenty of candy, cold drinks, and grocery staples.
The Walgreens is located off East Bay in Holmes Beach and is surrounded by a few quick serve restaurants and plenty of “Beach” shopping. In addition, if you visit the website below usually you can view the weekly specials so you can better plan your shopping. The store does serve liquor off to the side of main entrance.
Walgreens
3248 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-0451
Ps…if you are looking for some great German cuisine. Make sure you stop in next door to Old Hamburg. It is a German Restaurant in Holmes Beach, Fl.
Just a 30 minute ride East from Anna Maria Island and you can find fabulous shopping at the Ellenton Outlet Mall. The mall is filled with brand name shops however most shops sell out of season or out of favor items. If you are willing to spend time shopping you will be sure to find some great deals. The Outlets are a VERY large outdoor mall. If you plan on visiting on a rainy day bring your umbrella. You can visit most of the shops under cover however walking from building to building will require an umbrella.
The outlets have well over 100 stores. Accessories, Children’s clothing, Health and Beauty, Home Furnishings, Lingerie, Men and Women clothing, Luggage and Shoes. Some more popular stores include but are not limited to Adidas, Avon, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Bose, Calvin Klein, Coach, Coleman, Crate & Barrel, Disney, DKNY Jeans, Eddie Bauer, ESPIRIT, Fossil, Game Stop, Gap, Geoffrey Beene, Ghirardelli, Guess, Gucci, Haggar, Izod, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, L.L. Bean, Lenox, Levi’s, MOVADO, Nautica, Nike, Nine West, Oakley, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, PUMA, Quicksilver, Reebok, Samsonite, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Bahama’s, Tumi, Victoria’s Secret, Williams-Sonoma, and Zales.
The outlets have a great food court area that has plenty of mall food to choose from. In addition, you can kill two birds 
with one stone by visiting the ice skate rink that shares the same parking lot. The skating rink is open year around and is always great fun for the entire family.
For directions from Anna Maria Island to the Ellenton shops visit the following link.
Check the Ellenton Outlet Mall website for up to date shops as well as hours of operation.
Ellenton Outlet Mall
5461 Factory Shops Blvd.
Ellenton, Fl, 34222
6101 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217