Out with the old, in with the jerks
This is a letter to the Editor at the Herald from Emile Mourad, owner of Full Bodied Wine and Spa at CocoWalk. He calls Café Tu Tu Tango's patrons an "imported drunken crowd." He says CocoWalk wants to keep its unique character, I don't know of any other business in CocoWalk with more of a unique character than Tu Tu Tango. It's like another world when you enter. You actually "leave the Grove" once you enter Tu Tu Tango.
Here is the letter:
As a new tenant at CocoWalk, I would like to reply to the article titled ''Adios Tu Tu''. The article seems to portray the new owners of CocoWalk as the greedy bad guy who is unsympathetic to the history of the Grove and simply wants to get rid of nonpaying tenants. This is not the case. Credit should be given to the new owners for what they are doing and giving to the Grove. Their idea is to build on the local, historic and individual flair of CocoWalk. The idea is to create a destination for all that builds on rather than depletes CocoWalk of its unique character; one that caters first to its local community and can still support homegrown success stories as well as the big chains.
The article misses the fact that although Tu Tu Tango may have been one of the original tenants, it became part of the movement that to some extent caused the downfall of CocoWalk. In recent history, CocoWalk lacked businesses that provided goods and services to a broad base. Instead, Tu Tu Tango and other past tenants catered to an imported drunken crowd. An important change has taken place in the passing of the 3 a.m. law. This law developed because of support for changes by local community leaders who hold the same vision of what CocoWalk should be.
Further support of this vision is needed to successfully revive the beautiful heritage at CocoWalk. I am proud to be a part of the rejuvenated CocoWalk and proud to be a part of Coconut Grove.
Emile Mourad
president, Full Bodied Wine and Spa
Here is the letter:
As a new tenant at CocoWalk, I would like to reply to the article titled ''Adios Tu Tu''. The article seems to portray the new owners of CocoWalk as the greedy bad guy who is unsympathetic to the history of the Grove and simply wants to get rid of nonpaying tenants. This is not the case. Credit should be given to the new owners for what they are doing and giving to the Grove. Their idea is to build on the local, historic and individual flair of CocoWalk. The idea is to create a destination for all that builds on rather than depletes CocoWalk of its unique character; one that caters first to its local community and can still support homegrown success stories as well as the big chains.
The article misses the fact that although Tu Tu Tango may have been one of the original tenants, it became part of the movement that to some extent caused the downfall of CocoWalk. In recent history, CocoWalk lacked businesses that provided goods and services to a broad base. Instead, Tu Tu Tango and other past tenants catered to an imported drunken crowd. An important change has taken place in the passing of the 3 a.m. law. This law developed because of support for changes by local community leaders who hold the same vision of what CocoWalk should be.
Further support of this vision is needed to successfully revive the beautiful heritage at CocoWalk. I am proud to be a part of the rejuvenated CocoWalk and proud to be a part of Coconut Grove.
Emile Mourad
president, Full Bodied Wine and Spa
posted by Tom Falco at 8:55 AM
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40 Comments:
WELL! Thank God I only patronized the place about twice in 5 years! Wouldn't want to be considered an "imported" drunk!
Since I haven't changed that much, I assume that the Full Bodied Wine & Spa then is not geared towards me, so, don't worry Mr. Mourad, I'll do my best to stay away from your business and not pollute Cocowalk.
No problem.
Emile Mourad is exactly what is wrong with the Grove today. A snooty newcomer who knows it all.
Emile's ignorance is what is being attracted the Grove by the new tenants. A new vision is not being created, an old, beautiful one is being destroyed. I have been going to Tu Tu Tango's with my family before I could even drink. I give Emile's business which I will NEVER set foot in, about 6 months.
Emile sounds like a pompous ass. Tu Tu Tango has been attracting families for years including locals and tourists. And if he wants to revive the beautiful heritage of Cocowalk, he needs to look at Tu Tu Tango, which was one of the first tenants and IS the heritage of Cocowalk.
What now Emile, want to knock down the Barnacle? Not enough heritage for you there either?
What did Mia give him free rent for writing this letter?
Excuse me but didn't the news article say Tu Tu Tango hadn't paid their rent since last year.....what am I missing here? Cocowalk is a business that depends on tenants' rent checks.
Why would you call this new tenant a jerk? Cocowalk has had a problem with "imported drunks" particularly with those two recent clubs that just closed. The people involved in the stabbings did not live in the Grove...and before that outside promoters used those venues for RAVE events and they definitely qualified.
What an elitist attitude. The Grove is for everyone. One or two incidents is no reason to run everyone out of down after dark.
This last commenter and Mr. Mourad are what is wrong with the Grove these days. The Grove is NOT Bal Harbour or Coral Gables and even those places have crime once in awhile.
What you see as "imported drunken crowds" I see as paying customers and friends. I paint there and earn my living there.
When Tu Tu Tango is gone, that is going to hurt Cocowalk more than you know. They want to turn Cocowalk into a generic mall just like any mall in anytown USA. Places like Tu Tu Tango bring people to the Grove. Not chain stores and restaurants.
Emile Mourad and the managment at cocowalk are exactly what is wrong with the Grove. Elitist punks. They are killing the Grove.
Wow - Emile Mourad must have been hitting a little of his own stock a little too heavy. How on earth opening a Chilis adds to any sort of 'unique character' is beyond me.
A close friend of mine stated that they won't be happy until they destroy any 'sense of place' the Grove once had.
I don't know about you, but I don't travel to or vacation at places because I feel safe that I'll be able to grab a burger and a beer at the local Chi-G-I-Fridigans. I go to experience local flavor.
Last weekend I walked down to TTTango's, had a nice dinner with my wife and 2 friends, and bought a couple ink & pastel drawings because I thought I may never have the chance again. One drawing was of a plate of food the artist had eaten at TuTu Tango's, the other was a nice image of Scotty's Landing. They're getting framed and will hang in my dining room, where I will gladly "eat-in" before patronizing another boring new chain restaurant at Cocowalk.
Mourad guy is an idiot. Like people have already said---what the hell kind of character is Cocowalk?? You have regular clothing stores, a Cheesecake, Chili's, Fat Tuesday's.....you call that character?! I as well have been going to Tango's since I moved here for college. Everytime I have family and friends in town we go there. You have artists painting, eclectic decor, etc...that's character. I understand that money makes the world go round (them not paying rent) but why speak so harshly about the place. It's a grove staple and it's a shame it will be gone.
im not sure what 'beautiful heritage' exists at cocowalk, a manufactured shopping mall created by a real estate developer about 15 years ago.
i guess that qualifies as 'heritage' in florida.
shopping mall tenants come and go. besides eating and drinking, and buying clothes, that's about what there is at shopping malls.
cocowalk may be full, but it still seems soulless and empty to me.
BUT THEY WEREN'T PAYING THEIR RENT!
Why all of a sudden are we validating a tenant that doesn't pay their rent. How long would you keep someone in one of your properties if they didn't pay your rent? They could be Ozzie and Harriet - yeah their kids are cute and you love their puppies but they aren't paying their rent.
As far as I'm concerned, Coco Walk has always been a disaster saved by TuTu Tango...its the only redeemable place. I have been going there with my family for years and have yet to see drunken crowds. I've seen happy crowds, which is more than I can say about the other places in CocoWalk. So Mr. Mourad wants the drunken crowd to buy HIS wine in his shop huh? How quaint.
I didn't take it to mean that the drunken crowds were at Tu Tu Tango but rather at the recently closed night clubs whose patrons were not the same as Tu Tu's, but rather the element that has been redirected to the 24 hr nightclubs in the downtown entertainment district where we read about assaults and gun shots occurring.
Anon. - May 12, 2008 1:35 PM
Would you pay a landlord that raises your rent but won't fix holes in the floor?
Didn't think so.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango is a chain itself. Locations in orlando, atlanta, CA...
It was fun the first couple of times, but after that, it just seemed like an overpriced way to get drunk on Sangria and drinks with kitschy names.
And why shouldn't an owner want to get rid of a non-paying tenant?
But I wish I knew what kind of historic flair and heritage Cocowalk has?
It's a concrete shopping center with overpriced restaurants and retail shops.
It's noisy and crowded.
what's with a wine shop dissing drunks?
Sarnoff, the Cocowalk people, Mourad, all the old farts that live around here and just want to get rid of the younger crowd and make everything quiet and boring ARE UNREAL!!!!!!
can I advertise??? all of you "imported drunken people" support your local Sandbar!
Way to make friends, Mr Mourad, lets see how long you will remain at CocoWalk.
Louis
Wow, great thread! Here are some of the highlights:
I cant believe it took 18 comments before Sarnoff was mentioned! Thats gotta be a record!
Mourad's business should be off to a great start now that he's pissed off a decent amount of people in the area. Maybe people will come from far and wide to chastise him and will patronize other Grove businesses while theyre here?
The justified/unjustified withholding rent argument has been interesting. Im on the fence there.
Calling Tu Tu Tango a "chain" when it has 6 locations scattered across 3 states (2 being GIGANTIC) is a bit of a stretch, dontcha think?
I think that if Mourad reads the comment above, that chances are he will create a fictional picture about what "Louis" looks like. Odds are at least 75% gonna happen vs 25% not gonna happen. I wondered myself and in my rendition he had a curvy mustache.
Full Bodied WHINE... Coconut Grove is plagued by these finicky inhabitants; who are characterized by an unjustified arrogance and an anti-social attitude. Ironic really, considering the diverse group of individuals that call Coconut Grove HOME.
curvy mustache
that's amusing. makes me think you pictured mr. mourad on the ground in the library with a candlestick (or perhaps lead pipe).
Being what it is, Cocowalk has lost its glamour long time ago and the new owners can not revive it by all the money in the world. Chasing tennants away and raising rents is a Grove thing, since I have lived here the landlords have been irresponsible; thruth is, see the Mayfair Mall, the Engle Building. The empty spots, the revolving door of tennants at Cocowalk etc. (where did Banana Rep go?, Howl at the Moon? Dan Marrino's, etc.) Just when new owners took over the second floor was full of small stores, now they are 'replaced' by art galleries who pay no rent but make a show of occupancy, gee what a change.
TuTu will be missed, no matter what your personal oppinion is, we all got drunk there one day and had a good time, for sure I will not get drunk in a health spa, gee what a concept; Spa, Health, Wine, Drinking, ...
On a last note; I do not think TuTu Tango did not pay the rent for more than a year, owners have evicted others for less, and they do not want to be accussed of discrimination ...
YWell the Grove wants want art galleries in the Grove, we get them and you complain, sure most artists can't pay rent but they are happy to take a venue in the Grove and we are happy they are here. Give it a rest guys -- you all are never happy. The Gables papers their windows - we put in art galleries. A better option.
Nobody complaints about the arts galleries, but if we are complaining about why the Grove is changing for the worse, the free be art galleries are not the answer, TuTu and the likes pay top dollar and can't affort to stay, that is a shame, to be replaced for "visual occupancy" by an art gallery who does not have to pay their equal share of rent is false advertising and should not be there in the first place, it is still prime real estate. If owners can allow them to be there why not give TuTu a break and then they would not have to leave ...
Time to get a peace process started for Coconut Grove
Is the Grove changing for the worse? I don't think so.
I think this thread shows just how many different ideas and visions people have of what they want 'their' Grove to be.
There are those that want to remain the quaint little hippie village of 30 yeras ago.
Then there are those that want to build high rises with great view and modern appliances.
Many want to be self contained with enough retail and restaurants so that you never need to go to a 'mall.'
I think the problem is that someone is always gonna be unhappy. I think the big issue though is that even if we disagree, we need to respect that there are others who have different points of view and also stop being so self-centered and look at what's best for everyone.
BM,
I agree that 6 locations does not a chain make.
In the context of this thread though, I think that there are some people who think that Tutu Tango is a one-of-a-kind place that is unique to the Grove and couldn't be replicated elsewhere.
I don't think that the Grove is going down the tubes at all. What I see is a kind of knee jerk reaction from some people where change is equated to bad, progress is seen as negative and the belief is that the past was always better.
The fact is, Cocowalk just didn't even exist before. Now it does. At the time, tons and tons and tons of people bemoaned it.
Even Mayfair, when Ken Treister built it, had tons of detractors.
In 3 years there will be parts of the Grove that will no longer exist, in 5 years, other parts, in 10, much more will not exist. Etc.
Cities are living organisms made by the millions who live in them.
If everyone likes Tu Tu Tango so much... why is it going broke? Objectively... no one likes it that much, because not enough people go.
Take Senor Frogs and Greenstreets... they are always full, people like them, they go there and they spend money.
The Cuban Cuisine place across the street from Greenstreets evidently wasn't as liked, it went down.
What I find stupid is Mr. Mourad's tirade against Tu Tu Tango and by inference, other original tenants in CocoWalk saying that they catered to an imported drunken crowd.
One of the original tenants at Cocowalk was a bookstore. Not exactly the prefered destination for imported drunk revelers.
Another was The Black Market, another was Banana Republic... and, damned, I missed the parties in which they attracted the imported drunks.
But Mourad being dumb doesn't make all the change-decriers right. Cocowalk was really becoming shitty and irrelevant. It needs to be fixed. Whether the Full Bodied Wine and Spa is the right choice remains to be seen. Probably not, but, hey, you never know!
brickel Mary village is what the grove should try to be like, amazing unique resturants/ bars. I am moving!
Anon 2 above - Youre right about one thing. Whenever there is change, you can be sure that people will complain at first. Guar-an-teed. Then, after a little while, all is forgotten. Take a look at gas prices. A few years back when the cost of a gallon hit $3.00, everyone flipped out. Now its at $4.00/gallon and everyone just takes it for what it is. Change is usually good but it also usually takes awhile for everyone to realize it and let go of the past.
Anon 3 above - I see your point. I could see how people might think CTTT is a one-of-a-kind place. To be honest, the way it is done in the Grove may possibly be very different than other locations, couldnt it? Unless youve visited them all I guess we'll never know...sigh.
Anon 4 above (man I wish people would sign a name, any name) - your comment I think the big issue though is that even if we disagree, we need to respect that there are others who have different points of view and also stop being so self-centered and look at what's best for everyone. is right on. However, you forgot that this is Miami which is pretty much synonymous with self-centered.
Good riddance to TuTu Tango's crappy mall-food, corny atmosphere, and weak "art studio" gimmick. The author of this letter might be pompous, but he has the right idea about TuTu Tango. Now we need to find something local to replace Hooters, Rancho Whatever, Gap, Victoria Secret, Cheesecake Fatory, etc.
Here are some things to consider that perhaps I am privieledged to know, I've worked at TuTu's going on 12 years as a guest artist.
It is unique and groovie. The original Cafe
TuTuTango is this one, born and bred here in the Grove.
The only drunks I've ever encountered were on the outside. In fact if anything hurt traffic it was that bar that barred traffic to TuTu's. after 8 p.m. it was loud and intimidating with the hugh bouncers in black shirts that say it all,"Gone on vacation back . . ... probation" or something like that. I've seen tourist turn away and down the steps to find something else.
I saw repairs done that did not last, should someone fall through the floors or trip they would sue not only Cafe TuTuTango but
Mayfair as well. This might be the right time to get those repairs done once and for all.
If the Full Bodied Wine and Spa opens downstairs then he will survive, if he is on the second level with this gauntlet to get through good luck.
All these years I've walked into the Grove to work/enjoy my shift. I live in a tiny l cottage, Cafe TuTuTango gave me space in which I created my art from scratch for all to see. Of which the last series got me the Key to the City of Miami Beach. Also the image that was chosen as the 2007 Columbus Day Regatta tshirt. It always amazes me that those new to the Grove want to bring with them what they know. Not very original. The Grove is unique still, as is Cafe TuTuTango.
As to the food I always loved the signature dish the Cajun Chicken Eggrolls to be shared with friends which I have never seen an another menu.
Is not fair just to look always at the "bad side" of the story...if you really have any common sense you will be able to see the big picture and recognize that nothing is easy, more to bring back the Grove the way it was and that doesn't happen from day to night "Rome wansn't built in a day".
I think the first thing Coconut Grove should have done is to get rid of those residents who are always complaining of everything and nothing makes then happy...there is always and option - The people who doesn't like living in the Grove anymore MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE...as simple as that...but "get a life"!!!!
Come on guys..."NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER"!!!
"Out with the old and in with the jerks"? What kind of statement is that? I guess not surprising from the coconutgrovegrapevine, such a nasty spin on one who was simply defending what he observed of the situation. It's amazing to read a majority of these Anonymous blogs react to their leader's opinion.
Mr. Mourad at least put the time to submit his view to The Miami Herald and even signed his name....
And to think - a new business that wants to open in Coconut Grove and this is how he is welcomed?
Thank you coconutgrovegrapevine for your support! What's next - AMC? And "How not to be a Landlord" CocoWalk is replacing them with Muvico - what kind of spin will this take on....?
Cafe Tu Tu Tango had a following once... Perhaps if these Anonymous bloggers had supported this beloved Cafe - their sales would not have dropped so badly.
Oh well you know what they say out with the old and in with the _____.
Guess Who: Anonymous.-
I don't think Mourad is welcome in the Grove. He hasn't even moved in yet and he is calling the customers of another establishment imported drunks?
How dare. I don't think Mourad will see much business. I know there is talk of boycotts.
I really can't see why so many have taken offense from one line in this guy's letter! If you read the entire letter he is not talking about the local patrons of the restauraunt. I have lived in the Grove for years and yes I liked CTTT but I didnt go there much in recent years since I really didnt like the atmosphere around it. I see a big improvement happening by getting rid of those other bars surrounding it. I read his letter as a strong support of the Grove, and not at all as a put down. When he says that cocowalk needs to appeal to a broader base, he seems to be saying what many others have said in past posts (and I agree) that we need more varied businesses. Along with other posts, I wish for a shoe repair and good Chinese food. I wish this guy much success!!
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