What we need in the Grove for tourists
Maps, more maps and a brochure. Tourists are always going to that brochure rack at Mayfair, near the old Wet Willy's, which has every brochure you could think of but nothing for the Grove. Nothing. Unless Paul, at the sunglasses kiosk gets to them with one of Cindy's or Marshall's maps, the tourists walk away scratching their heads.
Souvenirs. Daily, tourists are looking for shells, shot glasses, baseball caps and key tags. We have none in the Grove. Do we?
Car rental agency. They take a cab to their hotel and then are stranded the next day. They want convenience and they want to move around.
A guide for when they exit the tour buses on Grand Avenue. They walk in all different directions. A sign or two or an actual person with brochures might help. There is that empty storefront at Mayfair right there, why not use it for this purpose?
M*A*S*H signs. Paul from the sunglasses kiosk can actually build them. He is an expert carpenter.
Someone in the black information booths might help as well. Either that or take the words "Information" off the booths and just put something that says "Coconut Grove," because tourists have actually stopped me in the center of the Grove and asked me where Coconut Grove was.
Souvenirs. Daily, tourists are looking for shells, shot glasses, baseball caps and key tags. We have none in the Grove. Do we?
Car rental agency. They take a cab to their hotel and then are stranded the next day. They want convenience and they want to move around.
A guide for when they exit the tour buses on Grand Avenue. They walk in all different directions. A sign or two or an actual person with brochures might help. There is that empty storefront at Mayfair right there, why not use it for this purpose?
M*A*S*H signs. Paul from the sunglasses kiosk can actually build them. He is an expert carpenter.
Someone in the black information booths might help as well. Either that or take the words "Information" off the booths and just put something that says "Coconut Grove," because tourists have actually stopped me in the center of the Grove and asked me where Coconut Grove was.
posted by Tom Falco at 8:00 AM
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10 Comments:
I totally agree with you especially on the mash signs. I have only lived here for 4 months and I am in love with the Grove. But yes the first few times I was there I was totally lost. Things are kind of misleading. I also got confused by Commodore Plaza, I think you mentioned that recently.
It might be good to get feedback in front of Grove officials from tourists or noobs such as myself. I would be glad to share my experiences if anyone was looking to hear them :)
Hello Matt, Welcome. You have already found the best spot to share your experiences. The Grapevine.
Once you get the layout of the Grove, it will be a breeze.
For me, the first 30 years was the most difficult.
Exactly right. And who should be in charge of such pertinent and beneficial endeavors? Who is responsible for the ugly, useless waste of money called "information booths"?
The same "official representatives" who built those ridiculous booths should repaint them with Coconut palm trees and the Bay with boats, a nice groovy motif, (blue and green instead of black!) and put them to good use:
Maps and brochures are really cheap to order by the thousands. Dozens of companies in the yellow pages, and there have been pretty good, colorful Grove maps already made in the past, there are blueprints already.
If a Guide is too expensive to be there say from 7am till late, whenever most tourists arrive, I'm sure we could find volunteers to contribute a few hours a week, to be on the new, cool booths and distribute the brochures and maps.
People who know the Grove. I would volunteer say 2 or 3 times a week, 2 hour shifts or so. Speaking several languages would be a plus.
About the Souvenirs and such there are a few places already with SOME Grove items, granted, not enough. But that's more on side side of private initiave, a business, unless Mr. Sarnoff's office, the Bid or some entrepreneur would produce nice Grove shirts, Caps, Key holders and such to be sold at reasonable prices in places like Paul's kiosk. Other ideas? Carlos Iglesia
Too funny Tony, I am a native and I still get confused sometimes. Yes, a map is essential in the Grove.
Enterprise Car Rental is in the Sonesta. I've rented a car there before. It's really convenient.
i think we need a little directory/map with 3 sides, attached to the lightpoles/street signs throughout the grove. like a dadeland mall directory, but for the grove.
the trinket crap could be put in the old starbucks location. or sold from kiosks in cocowalk.
I agree on passing out maps and brochures. Maybe right by the bus parking
Sparkle Plenty in Cocowalk has great postcards, mugs and souvenirs. Also CVS has a limited amount. Remind them about the Coconut Grove sunglasses - they need to be advertised more. Coconut Grove Arts Fest office has posters and note cards. Windisch Hunt Gallery has the glasses and some great Grove paintings.
Hey Windisch-Hunt Gallery has " paint your own Coconuts" 11 - 2 lunch hour. Those already painted can be posted. She also facilitates paint your own T shirts. She has all the equipment bring a new T shirt or one of your old CLEAN ones and work out a design or "I'm famous in the Grove".
I agree! I was just down in Miami on vacation and visited the Grove several times. It's lovely! I had the time to just wander, but the things you mentioned would have been nice.
I had the hardest time in Miami finding souvenirs for people. No postcards, except for some really expensive ones in one shop in Cocowalk, and they weren't even that great. I found lots of lovely things to buy for myself, but nothing that screamed FL. Sometimes you really want something tacky, you know? ;) I ended up getting stuff that I will always know I got in Coconut Grove, but they won't mean much to anyone else.
Everyone I ran into while out and about was lovely and I'll definitely have to come back and visit someday.
-Rachael
Ugh i hate tourists. Let them get lost!
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