Shopping in Tallahassee

Born out of co-founders Todd Giatrelis's and Sarah Towne's frustration at hunting for a sandal shop amid the glitz of the Vegas strip, Flip Flop Shops helps customers free their toes with a one-stop boutique for comfortable sandals and shoes, quickly expanding across the nation with more than 30 locations. Owner Jason Swinford proudly strides his size 12 sandaled feet across the floor of his Governor's Square Mall shop, uniting visitors with stylish strapped footwear and sneakers from brands such as Flojos, O'Neill, Quiksilver, and Vans. Every aspect of the store is cultivated to convey a laid-back, beachy atmosphere, with a scent of suntan oil gracing the air, lively music playing in the background, and a distinct taste of salt on every surface.

Expert hands, marked by the evidence of careful labor, bring together frames with gilded baroque flourishes or sleek contemporary lines to shelter photos, paintings, mirrors, and cross-stitch samplers at Frames +. Computerized onsite mat cutting makes pieces seem to leap from the wall with color-complementing depth, drawing out the greens of a mountainscape or adding to the crayon signature on a fake diploma. Jerseys and souvenirs nestle in shadow boxes, and antique photos stay safe with conservation framing that preserves the visages of ancestors who traveled to America on the Mayflower or the barnacled back of a generous whale.:

Even the darkest corners and crevices can’t hide from the lights at Tallahassee Lighting. With indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures from brands such as Golden, Craftmade, and Casablanca Fan Co., their crew appoints homes with stylish and functional décor. Their inventory includes fixtures such as indoor lights and chandeliers, outdoor lanterns, table and floor lamps, ceiling fans, and home decorum such as mirrors and clocks.

Disheartened by Tallahassee's dearth of fashionable children's clothing, Anne Erikson founded My Kids A La Mode boutique, which received a nod from Tallahassee Magazine's Readers Choice poll. Across gleaming hardwood floors, curlicued wrought-iron racks and sleek white shelves parade ensembles for babies, girls up to size 12, and boys up to size 10. Labels flaunt brand names including Deux Par Deux, Haute Baby, and Alphabet, whose threads identify important tykes like a direct phone line to Clifford. An assortment of playthings dapple a cozy children's play area, where a vibrant mural surrounds youngsters with a jungle scene of swinging monkeys and a prancing lion. Cheery staffers bundle items, many sourced from environmental textiles and dyes, for online orders with free shipping.

Ornate chandeliers illuminate an explosion of color inside Henri Girl Boutique, a trendy boutique dotted with modern wares from such designers as Motel and House of Harlow. Within the airy show room, a prismatic display of summertime crop tops and gauzy dresses wraps tightly around mannequins who tote patterned bags filled with plastic packs of gum. Stylish sales associates weave past these fashionable figures to help customers pick out a look, and fuchsia-colored benches cushion backsides as shoppers try on gold-hued Dolce Vita flats or cut-out wedges by Jessica Simpson.