“My” Ami…. Miami Beach

By Barbara Coven

When I first heard of Miami Beach, I was a very little girl and my Grandparents went to what I thought was their very own “ami” as in “my ami”, your ami.

Because they went every year, I knew from pictures that they looked like they did in the summer except for the fact that my Grandmother wore a fur stole.

The best part for me was they liked to shop. Every year they came home with wonderful gifts from Lincoln Road – beaded sweaters, pretty summer dresses, and once I got a gold bracelet.

Well things have certainly changed ! Since I learned that Miami wasn’t owned by my family, it went into serious decline.

Miami Beach became the place where old Jewish people waited to die. The once beautiful art deco hotels were now dilapidated, filled with impoverished decrepit survivors. I’m sure their families thought Florida was the best place to be – warm, cheap, synagogues and kosher restaurants. Lincoln Road had devolved into empty, unkempt real estate.

And then it happened – a Renaissance ! It started with a tv show. Miami Vice became a hit and suddenly all those run-down buildings were now pink, yellow , turquoise and sea-foam green.

Attrition and rising room rates forced the elderly out and the new populace of South Beach was now young and hip.

Today South Beach is a major tourist attraction and destination for people from all over the world. Walk along Ocean Drive from the first pastel building you see, and you will find restaurant after restaurant with outdoor seating. Everyone is invited and welcomed to the party that is called South Beach. You will hear every language, accent and taste every cuisine.

The universal language of music is in surround sound and everyone loves it in all its ethnicity.

You will find students, honeymooners, middle aged sightseers and even hip baby boomers.

Lincoln Road doesn’t feel quite as authentic. The street is lined with restaurants on either side and down the middle but critically speaking these bistros and pizzerias are not memorable for the food, but the ambience is great.

Stores include local start ups and national brands such as Banana Republic, J Crew, and Pottery Barn. Books and Books is a great bookstore/restaurant and is usually referred to as “we’ll meet up at Books and Books.”

There is a movie theatre at the Alton Street end and ice cream places everywhere.

A local favorite is Ice Box, best known as Oprah’s favorite. They serve great breakfasts, deserts and ice-cream.

It will be interesting to see what the future brings to Miami Beach. Huge hotels such as the Fountainbleu, Loews among others are facing high overheads and not enough business.

Real Estate in Miami Beach is not at bottom prices yet,so come and visit.

You will likely find a room at your price point, a gorgeous ocean, sandy beach,palm trees, food aimed at every taste and every wallet. So come on down!