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!

While visiting or vacationing here on Anna Maria Island it is nice to know that you can still count on being able to take careof any mail , fax, or internet requirements you may need.  This particular Island mail store offers a wide variety of mail carrier options such as  FedEx, DHL, UPS and  USPS.  You can also log onto the Internet for a fee that is charged according to the time of usage.  Facsimiles, copies, and shipping supplies can be  found in the store as well.  They have a fairly large conference room that can be used and scheduled for a fee.  This shop has fantastic customer service.  They are very well known on Anna Maria Island for going the extra mile to ensure that your every mailing or office whim is serviced.   They ship luggage, artwork, furniture, collectibles, and various other items.  They have even shipped a few cars and kayaks!

Island Mail and More is located next to the Whistle Stop gift shop and Subway in the Island shopping plaza in Holmes Beach, Florida.

Island Mail and More
3230 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-1911
FAX (941)  779-2493

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

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

The Sand Dollar Gift Shop is one of Anna Maria Island’s finest for its ambiance and style.  When you take your first step into the store you are instantly surrounded by the great smells of exotic scented candles and stones for the home.  As you begin to look around you will start to notice all of the wonderful sand and beach inspired decor for the home as well as a great selection of jewelry.  The clothing and shoes are always up to date and stylish.  But most of all you will be taken back by the charm, friendliness of the staff, and most of all, the affordability.

The Sand Dollar Gift Shop is a definite must see while either visiting or vacationing on Anna Maria Island.  The Sand Dollar is also a must visit if shopping for unique gifts for those at home helping you while on vacation.  The gift shop is located in the city of Holmes beach.  

Sand Dollar Gift Shop
5302 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217
(941) 778-2024

Anna Maria Island usually runs to mom and pop locations, but never fear, we do have one location you will need to stop by during your vacation… Publix Supermarket.  It is a large store that has everything on your grocery list including items for that new recipe you want to try and the best bakery goods this side of the Mississippi.  Well that last statement is just my opinion, but wow everything is fantastic.  Whether you need a last minute birthday cake, a unique loaf of bread for dinner or donuts for your office meeting Publix is the perfect place.  Did I mention they also make elegant wedding cakes that are all works of art not to mention delicious.  Usually you go to weddings and they have these frilly cakes that don’t taste as good as they look.  My wedding cake was a Publix original with different shaped tiers and tea lights on the corners.   My husband and I chose a red velvet cake with their famous buttercream icing.  It also had vanilla custard and strawberry filling.  We got so many complements, and there wasn’t any cake left sitting on tables at the end of the reception.  They also have a deli counter that makes sandwiches to order and fresh sushi for the more adventurous.  You can stop there on the way to the beach and get everything you would need for a picnic or just snacks for the kids. 

Publix Supermarket
3900 E Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, FL 34217-1983
Main: (941) 778-5422
Fax: (941) 779-2712

Take a look at almost any wrist or earlobe on an island resident and more than likely it is adorned with work form the Sterling Anvil – Anna Maria Island’s only local jeweler.   All pieces are handmade onsite – the most famous being the “Sterling Anvil link bracelet” – I have one in silver and gold.  They make earrings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, anklets, rings and even have a line of children’s jewelry. 

I love shopping at the Sterling Anvil and am SO eager for their new location on Gulf Drive to open soon – it looks like they will have even more space to show their wares and for shoppers to browse.    It’s a foul proof place to find presents for almost any occasion and budget – I recently purchased a silver dolphin set which included a necklace charm and earrings for a friend’s daughter’s 11^th birthday and I think she hasn’t taken either off since.  Seeing the Sterling Anvil box as she opened her present made her feel like such a grownup!  It was adorable. 

The service at the Sterling Anvil has always been excellent.  A few years ago I lost one earring of a more popular design set they sell and they allowed me to purchase just one instead of both – they were really sweet about the situation and helped me out. 

I have my eye on a heart shaped charm and plan on running over as soon as their new location opens up – which unfortunately for my shopping addition recovery is practically right across the street from my office.   They also have a lot of nautical themed pieces – turtles, dolphins, sandollars, and starfish and so on.  A perfect beach souvenir from your Anna Maria Island vacation!  Stop in while you are visiting the island – ask around for Carol and I’ll probably be there!