All we had to do was ask
I met with Gus Moore today, owner of Miami Tour Company and also Carlos Miller, a fellow journalist, who came to town with Gus. Both are great guys and very open to some of the changes we asked them to make to their bus tour schedule.Gus says I convinced him to make the change to their schedule, but I think a little walk around town and the give and take between townspeople impressed him. Everybody likes us once they get to know us and see us all interact (like Mayberry and Stars Hollow -- irresistible).
Miami Tour Company is the highest rated tour company in the county. And now, starting later this week, Gus has arranged for his tours to start stopping in Center Grove daily.
I showed him around and he was enamored with our little village life, The Bookstore and Olav's Pommes and Pane Café, The Cherry On Top and Smoothie King, even Starbucks at CocoWalk, among other places, are perfect for his guests.
Gus's buses (I like the sound of that), give three to three and a half hour tours (sort of like Gilligan's Island, but without the water part) and the Center Grove is now the first pit stop on their Miami tours route.
He didn't realize that there were large bus stops right on Grand Avenue, just for tour buses. I pointed that out to him, along with all the food and drink accommodations and he was thrilled.
They loved the Windisch-Hunt Gallery, and the painted coconuts, which will go over well with the tourists as well as the small art pieces in the gift shop there, where they can be easily mailed home. AnnaMaria was more than willing to work with their schedule and be sort of a hostess for the tourists as they got off the buses if nobody is there to greet them.
Gus and Carlos both liked today's Mayfair Green Market, which was jumping when we visited.
We also stopped at the BID (Business Improvement District) office, where David Collins, Executive Director, met them, and agreed to do whatever it takes to accommodate them in Coconut Grove. So look for many new tourists in town starting soon.
Carlos Miller took the above photo of Gus and me today, Carlos writes the Photography is Not a Crime blog and Gus publishes Miami Beach 411.
posted by Tom Falco at 3:30 PM
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20 Comments:
Rock n Roll Grape, you're the "Don"
Awesome! Great work, Grape. I look forward to seeing the new faces.
Grape, a job well done.
Please forward this blog post to the BID and Chamber Of Commerce and ask them WHY IT TOOK YOU TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IN THEIR SALARIED JOBS? I am sure AT LEAST one person from either group reads your blog and could/should have come up with this.Am I wrong ? Aren't they paid to be creative ?
Dear Grape
Thank you for continuing to uphold my belief that the best way to get something to happen is to seize the moment and go with it. Most of the time we are bogged down with emails and meetings and agendas and al manner of processes that get in the way of progress. Thanks for pushing all that aside.
Tom, once again I'd like to say kudos for taking initiative and getting things done around here.
I whole heartedely agree with JKH, why the hell doesn't the BID take the bull by the horns and start doing the things that'll actually bring people here to the Grove?
I think the property owners ought to stop paying into the BID and give you the money!!!
At least we'd get some action around here.
Tom this is awesome. As a business about to open next to the bookstore we are so excited to have tourists coming to the area and I believe one of those drop offs is right in front of our new location. You are really great. Wonderful work!!!!
Grape, thanks for taking the initiative! Great work! Looking forward to helping with directions ;)
So Gus wasn't influenced by the fact that bars aren't open until 5 AM?
Wonders never seize!!
Or "cease". He runs a day time bus service, I am sure if it was night, it would have had a great affect.
It's been said a lot, but great work!!
It is great that Tom and his Grapevine have accomplished this Mitzvah for the Grove. The shame goes to the Chamber, Merchants Association, Shopping Centers, BID and CGVC for not being as proactive and more successful in these kinds of efforts. Thanks, Tom.
Tom you are awesome. Do not let any nay sayers get to you. The good will prevail!!!!
Smoothie King and Starbucks? Ummm those are chains ...
Harry Emilio Gottlieb,
"It is great that Tom and his Grapevine have accomplished this Mitzvah for the Grove. The shame goes to the Chamber, Merchants Association, Shopping Centers, BID and CGVC for not being as proactive and more successful in these kinds of efforts. Thanks, Tom."
No shame necessary.
Here's how I see it, Tom is a "Social Media Expert". Good partnerships need "connectors", like Tom, to help people see the big picture. Most of the organizations you mention are still learning how to build a website. Tom runs a popular publication, which carries weight. The city needs Tom.
I was also touched by the art gallery, the book store, all the shopkeepers, Dave Collins, the market, and the Spirit of Coconut Grove.
This Mitzvah was a group effort. =)
Gus Moore
Miami Tour Company
Let's replace Dave Collins with Tom. Think about how much more would get done.
Nice work Grape - it's amazing what can happen, when you make something a priority and just go out and do it.
I give Tom and the Grapevine all the credit for initially championing this Tour Bus issue. Only you where able see the problem and get positive results through your concern, passion efforts and Blog voice. The BID, Chamber and CGVC need to provide less talk and more action! Let's see who will step up to the plate and deal with the other Tour Bus companies. So far only Tom and the Grapevine have hit a homerun! And thank you Gus Moore for working with the Grove to benefit your customers and our village.
did you de-louse after meeting Carlos?
Wait a minute. This is improper!! Point of parlimentary procedure!!
Shouldnt' we have formed committees, gotten input from everyone affected, held 5 meetings, with at least 2 of them delayed and 1 canceled all together?
Wait till the homeowner's groups here about this: without allowing their input, nothing can be official. This is anarchy I tell you!!!
Great Job Grape. Now we R talking. We should Stop all this Complaining and putting down the Grove & get pro active like Tom. Perrrrrrrfect !!
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