Shopping in Cape Coral

At Ooh La La Jewels Du Jour, sister owners Amy Turner and Tammy Turner Kipp exude fashion sense. Together, they keep their store's artful displays stocked with items ranging from classic to contemporary, with new and seasonal collections consistently joining the mix. In order to keep pace in the ever-changing world of fashion, Amy and Tammy also go on frequent buying trips, where they meet with longstanding partners to gather pieces that have yet to hit the shelves at big department stores. And, as daughters of educators, the Turner sisters have worked with local teachers and principals for more than a decade through their "Jewels for Schools" program.

The handy employees at Gavin's Ace Hardware help customers to navigate shelves stocked with home-improvement implements, household appliances, and domestic essentials. The shop’s technicians are certified to perform warrantee repair tasks for more than 100 manufacturers, including Echo, Snapper, and Toro, returning your snowblower or Statue of Liberty replica to working order. In addition to its wide selection of hardware, paint, plumbing, and electrical supplies, Ace Hardware dedicates ample space to gifts, home decor, marine supplies, and housewares.

In an interview with the Naples Daily News, entrepreneur Jason Swinford explained that he brought Flip Flop Shops to the Coastland Center mall with one goal in mind: “to make finding the perfect pair of flip-flops a cinch." His goal manifests in the form of a beach-themed shop with displays of footwear by Vans, Havaianas, iPanema, and more.

Shoppers can find youth-friendly styles, elegant strappy designs suitable for black-tie beach parties, or executive sidewalk surfers, which resemble business shoes but feel like flip-flops. A selection of sporty closed-toe shoes keeps toes comfortable on cooler days, and skincare products by Sun Bum protect skin. With an eye toward reducing the store's ecological footprint, general manager Brian Disarro told Naples Daily News that he stocks footwear made from reclaimed and recycled materials and illuminates displays with LED lights.

From a distance, the restaurant patio looks as though it’s been taken over by blue octopi. But a closer look reveals that what might have appeared to be creatures from the deep are actually artistic balloon sculptures several feet tall, their long lines and curly inflated base evoking the waves of the calm ocean just beyond the patio’s view. Eye-grabbing yet never out of place, Bayside Balloons’ inflatable installments accentuate—even help to define—their surroundings, putting party guests in festive moods and drumming up conversation about their unique shapes and designs. The company’s creative balloon displays have even popped up on sidewalks, museum openings, and restaurants across Naples. Though the floating sculptures, arches, and centerpieces look fanciful, Bayside Balloon’s curators also tend to their practical aspects, designing them to withstand elements such as sun, wind, or a porcupine’s birthday party.