Back-to-School Checklist: The Village Shops Edition
The countdown to the first day of school is officially on! Before the backpacks are packed, there is one last summer assignment to complete: back-to-school shopping during Florida’s Tax-Free Holiday, from July 20th to August 20th.
Back-to-school shopping on the Bay includes caffeine sips for the adults, stylish finds for the students, and sweet scoops for the whole family. Consider this your Village curriculum, your guide to fashion, flavor, and fun under the Naples sun!
Fuel Up Before Fashion
First things first, the most important school supply (to the parents and grandparents) is caffeine. Before conquering the back-to-school shopping quest, you need caffeine to keep up with your little shoppers! A stop at Black Letter Coffee + Café will have you sipping your way into shopping mode with a latte, cappuccino, ice coffee, or espresso to take on the go!
First Day Fits for the Little Kids
Twirl-worthy dresses, preppy polos, A+ accessories, all found at All About April! Your little superstars will be ready to turn the hallway into their runway. From first day to picture day, you’ll discover high-end fashion for babies and children (girls up to age 14, boys up to age 8). All About April will “supply” the back-to-school looks that will win best dressed!
A+ Attire for the Big Kids
Once the little ones are covered, it’s time to focus on the older students! For the trendsetting teens, The Village Shops offers a wide selection of boutiques that go well beyond back-to-school basics. Pop into our popular name-brand boutiques for staple styles and then continue on to browse our local boutiques for one-of-a-kind looks you (and everyone at school) will love. Your stylish students are sure to be the talk of the hallways.
Lunch Break on the Bay
Every school day has a lunch period, and here at The Village, ours comes with a view. Take a lunch break to refuel at one of our six waterfront restaurants. With menus ranging from fresh seafood and Italian favorites to elevated cuisine and casual pub classics, there’s something for every shopper in the family.
- Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar 239-649-5552 https://www.baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com
- Fish Restaurant 239-263-3474 https://www.fishrestaurantnaples.com
- M Waterfront Grille 239-263-4421 https://mwaterfrontgrille.com
- MiraMare Ristorante 239-430-6273 http://miramarenaples.com
- T-Michaels Steak & Lobster House 239-261-0622 https://t-michaels.com
- The Village Pub 239-262-2707 https://www.naplespubs.com
Last Scoop of the Summer
The shopping bags are full, the first day outfits are selected, and there is one thing left on the checklist…dessert! The school bells are about to ring but the summer fun isn’t over quite yet. A tasty treat from Ben & Jerry’s is the perfect reward for a back-to-school mission accomplished.
Tax-Free 101:
Now through Thursday, August 20, 2026, no Florida sales tax will be collected on the below qualifying items.
- Certain school supplies selling for $50 or less per item
- Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item
- Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less.
From caffeine and clothing to waterfront dining and a celebratory scoop, The Village Shops makes tackling the back-to-school list feel a little less like a chore and a little more like the perfect summer closeout. Gather your students, grab your shopping lists, and head to the Bay before the first school day!
The Village Shops on Venetian Bay
4200 Gulf Shore Blvd North, Naples, FL 34103
Call 239-261-6100 or visit www.venetianvillage.com
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @VenetianVillage and Twitter @VenetianNaples.