You may already know about the offerings on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. But there's plenty more shopping and dining nearby, with new restaurants and stores opening frequently.

Chain-Store Haven
The area around University Parkway and Honore Avenue, right off I-75, is teeming with familiar, big-name chains. You'll find SuperTarget, Best Buy, Stein Mart, Old Navy, Ulta and Sports Authority, among others, at University Commons on the southwest corner of University and Honore. Across the street is a Kohl's department store and Fresh Market. And on the northeast corner of this same intersection, hit big deals at BJ's Wholesale Club, Marshalls and Ross Dress for Less.

Have a casual lunch or dinner at Chipotle, Jimmy John's, Jason's Deli, Kumo Japanese Steak House & Sushi, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, John Dough Bakery & Café, Pei Wei Asian Diner and many more – all conveniently located in these shopping centers.

Wine and Dine
San Marco Plaza is a shopping center with a few select stores located near Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Most Fridays, you can enjoy free wine tastings at WineStyles. Get your 'do done at Yellow Strawberry Hair & Makeup Design. Savor sushi at Matsuri Sushi. Find unique treasures at 2nd Ann Rose, a consignment shop, or Lakewood Design Jewelry.

Knick-Knacks and Doo-Dads
Crowder's Gifts & Gadgets on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard is a gift shop-cum-hardware store with, as they say, “a little of everything,” including Vera Bradley bags and Pandora charms. Candles, gifts and novelties are housed along with the nails and paint. Allow an hour or so to browse.

And Yet to Come . . .
Keep an eye out for a new shopping mall at University Town Center, across from SuperTarget et al. Heavy machinery can be seen paving the vast tract of land, though an opening date is still tenuous.

Meanwhile, new stores are constantly opening at the University Parkway/Honore Avenue intersection. Some notable newcomers: Pier 1 Imports, Golfsmith and dressbarn.