It's all about the people
I think I finally figured out why I am conflicted about all the changes that are planned for Coconut Grove. It's not that I fear change or that I am against new shopping places and gleaming new condos. I think the bottom line is that I fear the character of the neighborhood, mostly the people, will change. I think a couple of people used the word "community" in comments on other posts here.
In Coconut Grove, you can literally walk down the street and be stopped by a dozen people to chat. You can walk into a restaurant and know almost everyone at every table. Even at City Hall meetings or Village Council meetings, it seems that everyone knows everyone else.
You can walk into Scotty's and know half the place, there are many tourists there, too, but it has the Grove feel, whatever that is. This new Harbour place is going to feel like The Falls or Bayside, now maybe not, but I do see it as a tourist destination and not for locals. Again, I could be wrong.
I think that is what I fear. Losing that.
In Coconut Grove, you can literally walk down the street and be stopped by a dozen people to chat. You can walk into a restaurant and know almost everyone at every table. Even at City Hall meetings or Village Council meetings, it seems that everyone knows everyone else.
You can walk into Scotty's and know half the place, there are many tourists there, too, but it has the Grove feel, whatever that is. This new Harbour place is going to feel like The Falls or Bayside, now maybe not, but I do see it as a tourist destination and not for locals. Again, I could be wrong.
I think that is what I fear. Losing that.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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10 Comments:
Before Scotty's, there was Captain Dicks. Before CocoWalk, there was the IChing. Before MayFair, there was the Winn Dixie. Before Johnny Rockets, there was the drug store. The Commercial Grove is constantly evolving, usually for the worst. What we still have: This and That Shop, the Last Carrot, Marmesh Vets, Yucky's, now Lucky's, the Barnacle, Peacock Park, Kennedy Park, the Library, the Women's Club, Coconut Grove Elementary, the Taurus, Monty's, The Hamlet, Flannigans, etc., etc., etc. More important than the commercial area, we still have quiet little streets with lush vegetation. Maybe you need to get out of the center Grove and ride your bike or walk down the streets of the North, South and West Grove. So beautiful and unique. Check out all the cute cottages around the Grove. Breath in the smell of jasmine or pick your fill of free mangos that are dropping from our trees. Walk on our paths of poinciana flowes. Borrow a dog and meet the locals in some place besides downtown. When you're done of your walk, go have your breakfast at Greenstreets with the other locals. Our lives don't evolve around the business sector. Heck, most of the owners of those businesses don't even live in the Grove and their employees can't afford to. The Grove is in more places than the center Grove. We've learned a long, long time ago that we cannot control what happens down there. We have learned to be content with what we have and to let go of the things that are beyond our control. The Grove is still here. Maybe you need to stop looking in the wrong places.
I never thought of it that way.....but you are so correct!!!
So, you are afraid of change!
The you are so wrong buddy the grove is doing horrible not only in the shops but the community itself.its time for a big change.we need to bring the nightlife back we need to bring back the big named restaurant chains.the grove need to breath life again.it feel like a ghost town most of the time.and 90% of its residents are tired of it.lets start with free parking and lowering the rent for the shop owners.baby steps but baby steps are better than these artsy fartsy events that only bring a vibe of boredom
Are things really that bad? Is everyone all up in arms because the rest of Miami is developing and becoming more popular? This should be something that should be celebrated. It seems as though we always want to be the center of attention here in the Grove. We should appreciate what we have, which is something extraordinary anyways. The Grove will always be the Grove, no matter what. Don't worry, the Grove isn't going anywhere.
eww, you eat breakfast at Greenstreet..
I love that this is what the first anon thinks of as a defining factor of living in the grove. hysterical.
It's all about the money, boys!
-Big Dan Teague
The first comment seems like a really ham-fisted attempt at astroturfing the comments in favor of ignoring the issues long time residents have with the current policies and administration. Once again trying to convince us that there is nothing we can do so just shut up, lay back and try to enjoy it.
/Where Johnny Rockets is was Pross Liquors. The pharmacy was across the street.
// Breakfast at Greenstreets as a defining Grove experience? Lol!
Breakfast at Lums? Maybe. ;)
I would seem less ominous if it wasn't developers being paid by foreign investors - faceless people continents away making the decisions on your environment. Now that's scary
With Citizens Insurance raising their Premiums at the rate they are going at, there will be few people left in Miami to keep the Economy going.
Greenstreets is not a defining experience. Its where we run into other people from the Grove. It's eggs and toast and friendly faces. Happy to know you won't be there.
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