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Shop Til You Drop in the Pensacola

Are you a shopaholic? It’s ok. The first step is admitting your addiction. But what if I were to tell you that in-store shopping is actually good for your health?

Yes. It’s true! Not only has shopping been proven to relieve stress and get you out of the house and moving around, it also creates sensory stimulation which produces the feel-good chemical, dopamine, in your brain, which in turn, enhances your mood. This explains why window shopping and bargain hunting can be so satisfying.

Shopping = Therapy.

Are you needing some serious therapy? (Don’t answer that…) Pensacola has oodles of retail therapy areas for you to choose from. I’ll make this easy for you and help categorize by neighborhoods:

Downtown Pensacola

Amidst two-dozen historic buildings dotted with chic stores, you’ll find a relaxed Southern style that sums up the unique shopping atmosphere of Downtown Pensacola. The downtown area is blossoming on all fronts, with an explosion of growth and quaint shops along a colorful Crepe Myrtle lined-streets.

Shoppers can easily spend a few hours or an entire day searching for gourmet foods and treats, trendy clothing, hand-made jewelry, fine art, and eclectic home furnishings. The streets of downtown are lined with unique shops and boutiques that appeal to many tastes.

Looking for the latest high-end fashions? On Palafox Street, visitors can find everything from a trendy denim bar to a posh baby boutique to sophisticated designer apparel shops for men and women.

Uptown Pensacola

Uptown Pensacola is home to two large shopping centers: Cordova Mall and University Towne Plaza.

Anchored by Belk, Dillard's, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, World Market and Bed Bath and Beyond, Cordova Mall has everything you need. Plus, the mall also features dozens of specialty boutiques like Francesca’s and Blu Spero to popular retail chains such as Old Navy, Victoria Secret, American Eagle Outfitters, rue21, PacSun and Buckle to the more classic LOFT, Chico’s and Jos. A Bank. In addition to clothes, Pensacola’s largest mall also offers health and beauty stores including Bath and Body Works and Sephora, as well as accessory-oriented stores like Pandora Jewelry and Sunglass Hut.

University Town Plaza, on the west side of Uptown Pensacola, offers a variety of national retailers like like JC Penney, Burlington Coat Factory and Academy Sports, as well as and well-known chain restaurants like Texas Roadhouse, Cheddar’s and Moe’s to feed your hunger pangs from walking and shopping. The area is also home to a TJ Maxx and a number of antique malls and consignment shops to fill your browsing needs.

West Pensacola

A quaint row of shops known as Pensacola’s Antique Row dot the west side of town as you head out toward the Navy base. If you’re in the market for smaller knick-knacks, rare figurines, dishes, glass pieces, furniture or vintage signs, you can spend hours searching through spots like Blue Moon Antiques, Oooodles, Antiques and More, and Rusty Relic, just to name a few.

Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach

The beaches in Pensacola and Perdido are full of shops that carry fashions perfect for a day at the beach or a night out on the town. Whether you are looking for an island souvenir, a special gift, or the latest beachwear, look no further than these two amazing beaches. Perdido Key has a multitude of shops, malls, and outlets – like Barefoot Gypsy Boutique, Paradise Island Souvenirs, Splash Resort Wear and The Beach Store - where visitors can find clothing, art, home furnishings and souvenirs.

On Pensacola Beach, the Boardwalk is a great place to find unique beach gifts or the perfect swimsuit. Shops range from stylish boutiques like Ardor Boutique, Envie Boutique and Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Co., to quick-stop stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop, Geronimo’s Outpost, Alvin’s Island and Islanders Coastal Outfitter - where you can pick up a beach towel or replenish your sunscreen.

From large shopping malls and major retail outlets to quaint boutiques, vintage antiques and unique shops, the Pensacola Bay Area provides visitors with the ultimate shopping experience.

Katie King

Author

Katie King

Katie King is a self-proclaimed beach bum who moved from Atlanta to Pensacola in late 2002 where she spent the next 13 years working as a photojournalist and editor for the Pensacola News Journal, covering all aspects of Pensacola life. Katie's photographs have appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and have made the Newseum’s Top Ten Front Pages exhibit. In 2015, Katie transitioned from journalism to public relations and began work at EW Bullock Associates. Her love for Pensacola only deepened after settling into her rustic, 93-year-old home in East Hill that she shares with photojournalist Ben Twingley and their great danes - who control all sitting and sleeping arrangements in the house. When she’s not working, you can often find her snorkeling the sandbar at Park East on Pensacola Beach, strolling the shoreline of the Pensacola Pass at Fort Pickens, or chasing her four-legged best buddy at Bayview Dog Park in East Hill.

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