The French Bee Antiques Shop, named as south Tampa's best when it comes to selecting beautiful, quality, and vintage antiques, is filled with ornately painted screens, oil paintings, estate jewelry, antique armoires, and secretary's and beautifully upholstered Italian chairs. The perfect accessory accompanies carefully selected pieces depicting English, Italian, Swedish and French styles using a variety of woods, including bamboo and mahogany. Quality in crafting, attention to detail, rich fabrics and interesting pieces have made the shop a local favorite. For shopper's convenience, local delivery is free of charge. - Vickie Ferguson

As the motto at The Other Side promises, they are not a typical antique store. In business since 1985, their collection of antique English, Victorian, Art Deco, European and Art Nouveau pieces is extensive. Exquisite examples include vintage turn-of-the-century furniture, carved wood pieces, and an impressive selection of accessories, authentic hand-crank wall phone, and an original intricately designed screen made of silk. Their inventory includes vintage books, posters and newspapers, maps and magazine covers, and numerous selections of artwork, along with beautifully crafted antique stained glass pieces. - Vickie Ferguson

Past Perfect of Tampa offers an extensive selection of vintage pieces for every room of the home. Beautifully crafted wood cabinets and tables, vintage cedar chests, and bamboo woven chairs merge perfectly with their selections of floral print setters, satin-covered chair seats and plush rugs. To accessorize a room, their inventory includes crystal chandeliers and table lamps along with Imari porcelain pieces, colorful sculptures and vases, unique statues and hand-painted artwork to add a finished touch. Past Perfect also offers exquisite pieces of vintage jewelry for formal or casual wear. Expert staff is on hand to answer any questions about their inventory. - Vickie Ferguson

Finding just the right accessory to add to the overall look of a casual yet sophisticated outfit is an important part of creating a finished look-and at DKM Accessories, that's just what the friendly staff can help to do.  Light and airy tees, colorful canvas totes, metallic flip flops, seasonal sandals, crystals and beads along with bangles, rings and cuff bracelets are just what you'll find at this south Tampa boutique. Multi-colored and patterned items for traveling such as duffel bags, cosmetic and jewelry cases, and pink or green crystal studded dominoes will add zest to your vacation planning. - Vickie Ferguson

At Lori's Soaps & Sponge Market, customers have a fine selection to choose from of handmade scented soap made with goat's milk and olive oil. To compliment the soap, the shop carries a variety of natural sea sponges that vary in style, size, and texture and used for personal use or as decorative items. Lori's also carries a selection of olive oil based organic face and body lotions and creams, massage oils, and sea salt scrubs. The shop also offers a selection of gift sets that include bars of soap, sponges, pumice stones, and lotions. Lori's Market is conveniently located at Johns Pass Village. - Vickie Ferguson

Right down the street from St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts, Sweet Diva's Chocolates combines a huge inventory with meticulously picked ingredients to ensure customers can purchase all the necessary components for some personal indulgence or a romantic offering. Specializing in gourmet chocolates and artisan cupcakes, Sweet Diva's also carries a full range of wine and champagne, coffee and tea as well as flowers. Particularly enticing is the European sipping chocolate available in a chocolate cup.

Nestled in a shopping plaza, this grocery specialist offers you a pleasant place to shop for organic fruits and vegetables and other health foods. A large selection of vitamins and supplements is available here and there are trained specialists in the store to assist you. There's also a selection of personal care products. A salad bar offers a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian selections, plus a deli sandwich area where you can order specialty sandwiches. See their website for further details.

Established in 1958, this shop has a varied selection of new and top-end used bikes for sale. If you are searching for a Gary Fisher, Litespeed, Bianchi, or a Greg LeMond, folks here will help you select and size the bike that is just right for you. ABC has all the accessories, too, plus cycling shorts and shirts, as well as clip-less pedals and shoes to match. There's also a trained staff to service and repair your bike if needed. See website for online shopping and more.

Happy Feet Plus sells Birkenstock shoes and sandals, which, although they cost a bit more, treat your hardworking feet to comfort and a massage with each step. When it's back-to-school time, each of the Pinellas locations (Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Largo and St. Pete Beach), as well as the downtown store feature specials through August and free gifts to student purchasers. So step in the St. Petersburg store and pamper your feet with comfort and elegance.

Custom Creations Café & Bakery brings back memories of times past within the original structure and unique architecture of the Pickford's Sundries drugstore built in 1949. With its old-fashioned soda fountain and colorful pink exterior walls, it is the place to go to start the day off just right. The café serves fresh gourmet coffee, French toast, fluffy pancakes, and biscuits and gravy for breakfast, as well as fresh made soups, salads and specialty sandwiches for lunch. Stop by the old-fashioned soda fountain for a hand mixed milk shake or try one of their delicious in-house bakery items including rich chocolate brownies, pastries, cookies and cheesecake.  - Vickie Ferguson