Shopping in Kings Point

Flip through the packed racks of Kismet Recycled Vintage & Designer Clothing, and you’ll likely spy an ample stock of dainty peter-pan collars and bold prints recalling ‘60s mod fashion. But Kismet’s style hunters toe the line between retro and fashion-forward wares, anchoring their collection of vintage threads with modern pieces by True Religion, Jeffrey Campbell, and Christian Lacroix. They also patrol runways, fashion magazines, and the secret diaries of mannequins for inspiration for their collection, honing in on vintage pieces that echo present trends.

Though Florida spans nearly 60,000 square miles, Jane Thompson manages to fit most of it onto 10 acres. Throughout her plant nursery, Thompson—who claims certification from and affiliation with such agrarian societies as the Florida Association of Native Nurseries—and her team tend to more than 60 native species that range from beach-dune sunflowers to coffee trees. By specializing in these native species, Indian Trails' growers supply property owners with plants that readily adapt to Florida's climate so that they thrive with little to no irrigation. Thompson also helps homeowners plan their landscapes through onsite demonstration plantings or design consultations, in which she offers essentials such as plant selection, construction of retaining walls, and transition of plants from the nursery to preschool.

Beneath the tall palm trees that dot Amelia's SmartyPlants' outdoor garden lies a vast stock of lush plants and vibrant blooms handpicked by an expert staff. The 2-acre independent gardening center amasses plant species both familiar and unusual, helping homeowners beautify their yards and the environment with native florals, ornamental shrubs and trees, and colorful glass garden art that adds color and whimsy to natural plots. Aside from dishing out advice in a monthly newsletter or through their regular in-shop seminars, the plant pros can offer tips on garden design, fertilization, and how to control pests via hypnosis or the shop’s selection of organic and synthetic products. An indoor shopping area also awaits to show off shelves stocked with tools and garden accessories––many made in the United States—such as fountains and statues, all waiting to add interest to landscapes or the miniature dioramas of middle-school giants.

After noticing a dearth of affordable art supplies in his Long Island community, Jerry Goldstein flung open the doors of his first art supplies store in 1968, and has since kept artists nationwide stocked with paints and frames through his mail order and online catalogs. Jerry's sons David and Ira have been part of the Artarama business since their early teens, and over the years have helped their dad launch 15 discount stores in the Northeast, South, Texas, and Colorado. The family's dedication to artists and local communities is evident in the myriad workshops and store events at its locations, where staff members help customers navigate the store's shelves of rotating products and floors that switch places with the ceiling each week.

Like most success stories, Leader's Casual Furniture didn't start at the top. Founded in a single west Florida show room in 1971, the company now boasts 19 retail show rooms, a 150,000-square-foot distribution center, and an ever-increasing selection of rattan, wicker, and patio furniture. Upon browsing the virtual show room, visitors find rattan dining sets, beds, and entertainment centers as well as wicker tables with stone or glass tops. Custom fabrics and tropical-themed pieces add personal flair to interiors or exteriors, and an online room planner helps customers get a feel for how chosen pieces will fit into their homes.

Since 1968, Jerry’s Artarama has stocked shelves with multitudes of tools and supplies and helped artists show off finished work with custom framing. The comprehensive inventory fulfills artists’ every need, featuring everything from acid-free blank stretched canvases to Lukas oil colors, which have been transmitting images to paper since 1862. Custom framing services can protect and showcase a diploma, favorite 8”x10,” or beloved box of cereal.