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Commercial Real Estate Selling Small Business

Travel Adventures Start in South Florida

Traveling: Antigua Casona Hotel in Cusco Peru

One of my favorite things about living in South Florida is how easy it is to travel anywhere from here. Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the busiest airports in the country with over 80 airlines serving 150+ places around the world. We also have the Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach airports, so plenty of airlines and airfares to choose from.

This year, my family was invited to a wedding in Lima, Peru. What an amazing country! They truly understand the meaning of customer service. Miami’s hospitality industry can definitely learn something from the Peruvians.

After the wedding, we took a side trip to Cusco and stayed at this amazing hotel, the Antigua Casona. From a real estate perspective, it was incredibly interesting as the owners rebuilt a falling down house into this intimate, boutique hotel. That in and of itself is enough for an entire blog post, but I’ll save that portion for another day.

What I found so compelling about this hotel was how they managed to integrate the local artwork,

the theme of the area (Incan architecture), the weather and altitude (almost 15,000 feet above sea level, which is rough on Miamians) and the food into an overall incredible experience.

Leaving the hotel at 5:00 a.m. for a Machu Picchu trek? No worries they have a picnic breakfast ready for you. Being affected by the altitude? Again, no worries, every night they bring a thermos with hot water and a local mint tea to help with the effects. In the morning, they have a coca tea to help. A little chilly? Every evening with the tea service, they place covered hot water bottles under the covers on each side of the bed.

The customer service and the attention to detail, anticipating what the client might want or need was beyond anything I have experienced in my travels and made me wonder, do I go far enough in providing that experience to my real estate customers? Does my company? If not, how can we do better?

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Commercial Real Estate Investment Real Estate Selling Small Business South Miami

Record US Retail Sales

Retail in South Miami

According to economist Ted C. Jones, US retail sales and the demand for goods resulted in the freight rates for 20 foot containers from Shanghai to the US to increase approximately 125% in the past 12 months.

Another economist, Elliott Eisenberg PhD, also states that retail sales are terrific and that though we are buying goods online and curbside during the pandemic, it shows that consumer consumption has recovered.

What does that mean for commercial real estate in general and retail space specifically? I think there is a lot of pent up demand for going out, mingling with people, touching, feeling and trying on what people want to buy. With all of the people moving to South Florida, I think retail is going to rebound and will do so quickly. The products and services may change, but people still want an experience when they shop. At least I do!

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Commercial Real Estate Investment Real Estate Small Business

Happy National Entrepreneur Day!

Downtown Miami

If you live in Florida, you live in one of the top 10 states to start a business.

In WalleHub‘s Best Big Cities For Starting A Business, Miami ranked number three and, with almost 240 startups per 100,000 residents, it is the city with the most number of startups.

Although not for the faint of heart, entrepreneurship offers many rewards and I think South Florida is the place to start a company or investing in real estate, which is entrepreneurial, than in South Florida.

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Commercial Real Estate Investment Real Estate Restaurants Small Business

Miami Restaurants Should Benefit From Boost in Visitors

Yellowfin Tuna Tostones – Mamey Restaurant

According to economist Elliot Eisenberg, PhD, “Of the 9.9 million economy wide jobs lost, 2.1 million or 21.2% are in restaurants.”

I am hoping that the jump in air travel to Florida reported on Squawk Box today helps our local restaurants during this holiday season. The temporary zoning changes allowing more outdoor dining options should be a big help.

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Commercial Real Estate Florida Life Investment Real Estate Restaurants Small Business Things To Do

Cauley Square: A Charming Snapshot in South Florida’s History

Caboose at Cauley Square

Built as a result of Henry Flagler’s Railroad, Cauley Square is a charming collection of small businesses. Connected by meandering walkways under a lush tree canopy, it is far from the rowdy place it was in the early 1900’s.

Saved from demolition at two different times by women investors, Mary Anne Ballard in the 1970’s and Frances Varela in 2001, the historic cottages, 10-acre grounds, and fountains, have been beautifully restored. Come spend the day visiting restaurants such as the Tea Room, pictured above, and charming shops that are located throughout the property. It offers such a nice change of pace to the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Miami.

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Coconut Grove Commercial Real Estate Neighborhood News Restaurants Small Business

A Good Pandemic-Related Change

Fuller Street in Coconut Grove Closed To Traffic Open to Outdoor Dining

It may sound strange, but there are several things that resulted from the pandemic that I am grateful for. One of the ones that I hope will stick around is the increase in street narrowing or closing to allow for more outdoor dining. It always struck me as strange that South Florida doesn’t have a lot of outdoor dining. I know summers get hot and sticky and we can get severe thunderstorms, but we also have a lot of beautiful days and evenings that are perfect for outdoor dining.

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Commercial Real Estate Coral Gables Neighborhood News Selling Small Business

Small Businesses Expand During Covid-19

Aria Rose Boutique 305 Palermo, Coral Gables

Yes, you heard that correctly…some small businesses are expanding during the pandemic. Aria Rose Boutique in Coral Gables is just one example. Owned and curated by Lauren Patao, this boutique started out in a bedroom, grew to a small store front and, in the middle of a pandemic, expanded to it’s beautiful new location. I think Lauren’s positive attitude, clear vision, friendly disposition, customer service, and the gratitude she exudes in everything she does, as well as her sense of easy, comfortable style, accounts for her success.

Aria Rose Instagram Wall