Driving in to work this morning I started thinking about South Miami. Not the South Miami of today, but the one with the Holsum Bakery with it's Christmas display each year...the one with Robert's Western Wear and Connie Banko's Custom Bathing Suits. The first pair of Converse sneakers I bought came from Zip's on Sunset. They were so cool! Each panel of canvas was a different color. My friend, Eva, got the same pair. I wonder what ever happened to those hightops.....
Anyone remember when they first "redid" South Miami and put up "The Bakery Center"? What a bomb that was. I think I may have gone to it one time. Hated it. Not wild about Sunset Place now, but I can handle it. Seems like everything there is way overpriced. But I do love the movie theater!
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Did we know each other back then? I remember walking to Zips Sporting goods, and the bakery that was next door, the pet shop around the corner and Farm Stores! I lived off Red Road, close to 80th street.
You're so right, it has changed so much. The best thing about the old Holsom Bakeries is smelling that bread baking.
I got my first pair of Converse at Zips. They were all different colors and I loved them! Farm Stores is still there. But I think just about everything else has changed. It's still nice, but just not the same.
Keep up the good work.
My Dad was a career cop in South Miami. Started with Chief Tatum, ended 22 years later with Cheif Vizzini. Skipper Chuck had some scooter races at City Hall there back in the late 50's and I got a sun stroke.. near died too. Got my first bike at Macks across the street. I loved going there because the fire department was in the same building and they were really nice to kid with a million questions.
Loved Holsom, went there as a Cub Scout and had fresh Bahama Bread warm out of the oven. Dad said Frankies pizza was there somewhere before Frankie moved to Bird Road, that my Dear, was the "best" pie in Miama. Dad knew Bill Haast, and Moms brother caught snakes for him in the olden days, I got a lot of milage outa that.
Dad would do "special duty" directing traffic for Temple Zion and I would watch from the car. He sometimes worked closing at Stevens market too..he stopped a robbery there once, took a shotgun away.
At the U, Dr. Gilbert L. Voss and Dr. William Moore, Uncle and Cousin were at Rosenteil by 1948 and helped make it world famous. Uncle Gil was seriously involved with John Pennecamp and his effort to protect the reefs. My Aunt Nancy is still there today. More than sixty years of continuous service to Rosentheil and the University. If I'd of had one drop of good sense when I was younger, I would have pursued an education there.
Remember the duck pond? we would get some stale bread at Holsum and go there.How about the Grey Ghosts football team?
Pizza Patio was the carhop place for me, not the Pizza Palace or Jimmy's Hurricane. That's not really South Miami but Frankies mad me think of it. His commercuals at the Tropicare and Coral Way Drive -ins would make your mouth water.
thanks for prodding the dusty parts of my memory, I oughta write this stuff down before some random act of stupidity takes me out.
It's kinda funny. I was just speaking with a colleage about growing up in Miami (I'm now in NYC) and my folks owned a bathing suit company. Anyway we were 1/3 owners of Connie Banko Bathingsuits, the ones you would see in dept. stores. Connie owned the store herself. Anyway, the company went under in around 1982.
My parents owned the Indoor Gardener on Red Rd for years.I worked at Dr Frank's Health food store in High School.It's so nice to hear others remembering that area so fondly.We ALL remember the Holsom bakery!!!The smell was sooo good!
I remember there was a great swimwear store right accross the street from Connie Banko called Alice's Day Off I shopped there often. I belive that they might have had a little to do with Connie Banko closing after all those years. I belive that she closed closer to 1989 or 1990. Those were fun days.
Connie Banko had the best suits.
I really missed that shop after moving to NYC.
cheers
irina
I didn't grow up in S. Miami, but spent a lot of time there during undergraduate years at UM in the late 1960's (not having a car made S. Miami the only shopping area I could easily walk to). Holsum Bakery Rest. was outstanding, also Bob's Pipe and Tobacco and the news agent that was near the corner of Sunset and Red Roads.
I bought a friend of mine (okay, the love of my life at the time) her first two piece suit (it was a bit modest to call it a bikini, even in the early 1970's) at the Connie Banko store. I believe it was Connie that waited on us.
I've made one trip to the 'new' S. Miami in 2008 and agree the changes have not been worth it. Guess I'm getting old.
I used to love the College Inn restaurant - great egg salad sandwiches. And the original Sunset Drugs had an awesome lunch counter. I used to fish with a cane pole in the canal at Dante Fascell Park. Random memories coming back..
Oh the changes. Live in Jacksonville now. Born / Raised in what is now Pincrest, attended Pinecrest Elementary and later Carrollton. Remember taking the bus to S. Miami, and sometimes to the Gables. Gardners' Market, 5,7,9 shops,Zips was awesome, Connie Banko, Robert's Western Wear and breakfast on Sundays in the corner drug store - can't remember the name. Is Connie Banko still in business? Later Lewis of London, decked out my first nursery from that store (80's). I moved back briefly in 2001 - brought my kids to S. Miami. Return from time to time. So much change!
It came to me - Sunset Drug store, the little news stand across the street. The Chinese Restaurant up by the Holsum store. The old Schwinn store. The memories are flooding!
OMG - I am reading all these entries - Yes, Steven's Market, warm Bahama bread, the duck pond (do you mean the one up on us 1 and can't remember). There was also one on killian and us 1. The Haas' and the Serpentarium. The Parrot Jungle, used to ride bikes or my pony to the little store on red road to buy candy. LONG time ago - kept my pony in the back yard. One hurricane we moved her to the garage. She ran away once and made it all the way to Red Road and ran down the road (literally tied up traffic for quite some time)- from Killian to South Miami. Caught up with her by Dante Fascell. One more OLD memory - me and several friends rode our horses to Pinecrest Elementary - one teacher was in her portable and I rode my pony up the stairs and inside. It took me 3 hours to get her to come out and back down the stairs. I got in a lot of trouble.
Thanks a million for the memories, guys! I was born at Mercy Hospital in Miami in 1955 and grew up at the old Orr place at 6467 Sunset Drive in South Miami. Our family were friends of Elizabeth Orr, and we lived in the little frame house at the opposite corner of the five acres from where the Orr's beautiful home is. (Now Orr's Pond) My dad worked for Eastern Air Lines. The larger pond on the property was right in our backyard, and we rescued a duck from "the duck pond" once who had been badly bitten by turtles. He healed and lived a wonderful life on our pond!
My brother and I walked (All by ourselves!) the few blocks to Ludlam Elementary back then. Oh my goodness, I love hearing your comments about Zips, Fosters, Holsom Bakery, Sunset Drug, Robert's Western Wear. Do you remember the Doc's Feed Store? Do you remember where Doc lived and had the horse next door??! I'm trying to think of the horses name... My folks knew Chief Tatum... And yes, we used to watch Bill Haast work with the snakes at the Serpentarium. And the father of a friend of mine was a keeper at Crandon Park Zoo. Neighbor Lee Cermak was a pilot for Goodyear Blimp. He used to cruise over the house low enough for us to wave at him! I still have my Blimp Club card in a scrapbook. Oh, the memories!!!!!!!! Used to love to visit Fairchild Gardens and Matheson Hammock. Camping with the Girl Scouts at Mahatchee... Does anyone remember Camp Wisumkee in the Keys? Oh, dear! My mind is awhirl! Keep those memories coming, PLEASE! What a perfect place to grow up, and how very lucky we are to have known Miami back then...
When did Robert's Western Wear Close? When did the Depot Restaurant go out of business? The Depot is now a Japanese or Chineese restaurant now. The dry cleaners was still there in Jam 2008 the last time I visited S Miami. Is Zips Sporting Goods still there or did it close down too? I actually bought some weights from Zps when I was a kid.
Wish I could answer your questions, John. We moved out of state in the '70s, and I haven't been back to Miami for a good number of years now. I know it will break my heart to see the major changes. Hope to spend a week or two on Sanibel this winter, and perhaps take a buzz through of Miami. My cousins lived in St. Pete in the '60s, and our families used to meet on Sanibel. No bridge to the island back then. Just a ferry! Love it! And we used to visit Naples Beach and have the whole beach to ourselves. And it was just natural and wild back then. Last time I was in Naples, you couldn't SEE the beach for the highrises... Again, how lucky we were to know the old Florida. Cheers, all!
OMG Camp Mahatchee! Camp Wesumpkee...and we also camped at Turkey Point and canoed through the cooling canals!
Y'all mentioned Hosum Bakery, do you remember The Moderne Book Store? I used to skip classes (at Palmetto) and hide out in the book store and read. Yeah, I was a nerd.
I grew up on SW 100 st, went to Pinecrest Elem. What a fantastic school. I was on Skipper Chuck's show, and another one, Umm, Banjo Billy's something? It was in the early 60s.
The old SOuth Miami library built of coral rock was another wonderful refuge for a nerd girl like me...the front entrance always smelled like pee though, from the bums who slept there.
My first job was at the Parrot Jungle, I worked there on and off until I left for Texas. I also loved the old Sunset Drug lunch counter...does anyone remember The Yumbrella? It was a bunch of different restaurants under one roof. It wasn't very good but as kids we loved it.
I could go on and on...seeing all these memories here really makes me homesick. But for the way it WAS. Not how Miami is now.
WOW - What Memories !!! My Name is Carson Wales - I Was Born And Raised In Coral Gables (1952)On Granada Blvd. - Since 1980 I Have Lived In Jupiter, FL, 2 Hours North Of Miami - I Attended Riviera Day School (Near Red/Sunset) 1st Grade At 5 Yrs (1957-1958) Several Months Ago I Drove By To See The School And The Same Old Tree Was Still Living That I Used To Climb As A Boy During "Playtime" From Mrs Vonk's 1st Grade Class - It Had Been Heavily Trimmed Though - And Then I Drove By To See Sunset Elementary - Where I Attended 2nd Thru 6th Grades - Just A Tiny Playground Area Left - All The Original Huge Playground And Sports Fields Sold Off To Development, We Used To Have Horses Adjacent To The School, Sometimes I Would Feed Them, And I Remember The Annual Carnivals/Fairs At Sunset And Ponce "Jr High" In Those Days - I Always Liked Red/Sunset - And Actually I Like The New Sunset Place Development With Cafes, Shopping, And Theatre
I Wouldn't Want To Live There Again, But I Always Have Fun Visiting The New "Latin/European"
Style South Miami Of Today - As A Little Boy My Mom Took Me To Matheson Hammock And I Collected Starfish, Seahorses, Shrimp, Crabs, Etc. Hey Who Remembers "Merrie Christmas Park" On Lejeune Rd. - I Have Visited There Several Times In The Last Year And WOW What A Great New Playground For The Kids - I Met Several Women From Paris Who Live Next Door And Choose To live In Miami Rather Than Paris !!! Still Big Banyans, We Used To Play Sports, Play/Listen To Guitar, And Sneak Out There With Our Girlfriends Up On The Hill At Night !!! I Always Liked Roberts Western Wear, I Remember Holsums, Connie Banko, And The Other Retailers And The Supernatural Juice Bar Cafe In The Early 70s - WOW Was That A Wild Time - And My Dad Used To Take Us To The Fishin' Hole On Sundays - South On US #1 To Avoid Going To Church ??? I Went To Gables, Class Of '69 ANd Now They Have The Whole New Nordstroms Center "Merrick Park" "Thanks For The Memories"
As Jackie Gleason Used To Say On His Show From Miami Beach !!!
God Bless All Of You !!!
I loved Knaus Berry Farm, Holsom Bakery in South Miami, Burdines at Dadeland and Downtown, Zips, LUMS, Dirty Nellies in Pinecrest, and so much more.
My parents owned La glace Danish Bakery 5612 sunset drive...right next to sunset drugs across the street from joe's news....next to the 7/11
What a list! I grew up about a block off of Sunset on 53rd Court back in the 70's and early 80's. Used to love the smell of that bakery! I remember getting my first baseball glove from Zips Sporting Goods, playing in the local Khoury Baseball League, going to Sunset Drugs (loved the lunch counter and used to buy airplane models to build from there), the 7-11, Tawa's Game Room next to his Dry Cleaners, the 5 and 10, Food Spot, Farm Stores (loved that sherbet box!) and the Winn Dixie. My dad used to take me to Palmetto Hardware whenever he needed to fix something. I recently used Google Maps' street view to tour the neighborhood. So much new, some still like it was. Was disappointed to see that the athletic fields of my youth at Sunset Elementary are no more. Like others, I used to fish the canal at Dante Fascell and climb the giant "Concrete Woman" there in the park. Used to fish under the bridge over at Cocoplum Circle too. Parrot Jungle was awesome. Anyone ever remember the old WWII bomber planes that ran early weekend mornings spraying mosquitos at near-treetop level? How about the air raid siren that went off at 5 PM every Saturday afternoon from on top of the Publix?:-)
I'll never forget the way that place was. I still love the old coral rock towers that are found at the ends of the double streets in High Pines and the HUGE Banyan trees leading up to some of them. Used to swing on those from time to time. Good times.
I think the air raid siren was on top on the Sunniland Theater when I saw it. We lived on SW 67 ave near 108 street and then on sw 100 street near Pinecrest Elem and we could hear that darn siren at earsplitting levels. I also remember the mosquito sprayers.
Remember the flame rest in sunny land, snodan's on old cutler, hungry hounds on us 1.
To Anonymous re La Glace Bakery on Sunset, posted July 1, 2011: I loved that bakery. I grew up off of Miller Road, and used to ride my bike or take a bus to Red Road, then down to Sunset. We shopped all the places in that area. I miss Sam and Carl's too. But in all these years I've never tasted anything better than the pastries from La Glace. I've been trying to find out what happened to the bakery. What happened? Why did it close? I heard something about a fire ... always thought that was fishy, as developers wanted that property. When did the bakery close? I still miss the tarts, the french waffles and bear claws to this day.
We lived on Sunset Drive. I think I was weaned on those Danish pastries! Yummmmm! LOL When did the shop go out of business? We moved in 1969.
Oh yes, farm stores, drive through - that was the bomb. And, the 7 11 for icees - the chain is making a come back in Jax! the new stand across the street from sunset drugs...
nnn
for Rivka,Susan Andrews:
Like I said in my original comment my mom and dad owned La glace Danish Bakery 5612 Sunset drive in the 7-11 strip shopping center, My dad purchased in 1976,the bakery from Walter and Greta Bangstrup..they were the original owners.. right from Denmark, my father worked for them in the early 70's ..so when they decided to sell the bakery they thought of my dad..they knew he would keep it original..and he did. I worked with my dad and mom,my brother and grandmother in that bakery for all the years after ..till dad sold it in 1985..so many good times..could tell you a million stories..so many. dad sold the bakery to a Mr. Dudley..he had never baked before ..heard it changed to a Cazzollis pizza later....Dad loved baking and to hear you talk about the shop like that brings tears to my eyes..let me tell you first hand, everthing in that bakery was made by hand ..my dad rolled all the danish and pastry dough by hand..all the bread was made by hand, real sourdough rye..real pumpernickel..my dad had been a baker in New York before we moved to Florida in 1969..after dad sold the bakery he became the baker at the Homestead Air Force Base Officer's Club. We worked together there till Andrew hit and they closed the base...my dad passed away in 2001..I miss him so much..he would be so glad to hear how much you loved his baking ..thats all he ever cared about.. if you liked his baked goods...a REAL BAKER !!!!
Roberts western wear , great store
Connie Banko - So incredibly talented, went on to make quilts after shutting down the bikini shops. We have at least 5 of her quilts and they are all unique and beautiful....She was a great italian cook as well, always enjoyed a "touch of the grape" and a laugh with Connie. Marshall Majors always seemed to burn their burgers and there was a "hole in the wall" Thai restaurant next to the old Holsum Bakery, can't remember the name but it was seedy but good food though. The best mens clothes shop was Lanes and Cavanaugh's had the best shoes in town. Sunset Cobbler (i think still there) did great work....Whip and Dip was a weekly favorite....Fox's Sherron Inn had great prime rib (not sure if they closed) and a walk up window where they sold liquor....Walter Harris Photography, he was a trip....Keg South had the best burgers....Sword and Marlin was a hot spot back in the day....and will never forget the Jordan Marsh Santa with the purple balloons (and white stars). what an incredible place to grow up
I started 7th grade in Palmetto Junior High School in school year 1961-62, the year it opened. Two of my classmates were a girl named Zipp and a boy named Freeland. Zipp was the Zip or Zipp Sporting Goods and Freeland was Freeland Drugs, better known as Sunset Drugs. There was also a Dobbs House that no one else has mentioned so far. It was on Sunset on the other side of the street, about a block east of Red. There was also South Miami Taxi. I remember them because one of their cabs was a '61 Dodge with a Perkins diesel engine, pretty amazing back then. There was also an older woman driving on bus line 1, Downtown Miami to South Miami. There was a fir number of air conditioned GM buses in service by then but sometimes were got one of the old ones without. I lived on Killian drive and can remember how Sunniland Shopping Center was back then and the duck pond, now Veterans' Wayside Park. We didn't have sidewalks or bus service back then. Finally, the Coral Gables buses came out to our area and took us to Red & Sunset if not to the Coral Gables bus station. A 'drive' through the area on Google Street View shows that they now have sidewalks hwere I lived but only on one side of the road. I also remember the Renuart lumber yards. One of the Renuart kids grew up to be a 4 star general and retired a couple years ago and another became a lawyer in New York when she grew up. Anyone else remember the big CMA store on US 1?
The shopping center at 124th & US 1where there was an A&P, a news stand and some other small places? There was a Royal Castle on the corner that I hung out at back then. I also remember the Florida East Coast tracks that ran paralell to US 1 for quite a ways down. Now they're either gone or re-situated as at Red & US 1. Once in a while I saw a freight train on them but it was rare. Also remember the Aero Country Club small airport, another place I loved to hang out at.
That's all for now...
Seeing the comments on the old Supernatural Restaurant and Juice Bar made me pretty nostalgic. Not when it was owned by Brigitte Mars, but when it was being run by Daniel and Betsy. I practically lived there. Well, in fact, actually I did! (In the apartment directly upstairs) Now, 5881 Sunset Drive is a Benini Bug children's clothing store, and The Supernatural is gone forever. Back around the time you could get a huge bowl of freshly made yoghurt at The Supernatural (made by daily by ME -- I also worked there), Coconut Grove had a singing bicycle mailman named Jimmy. Does anyone remember him? He. Was. Awesome!
Its great to see all the comments about South Miami from the 70,s. I grew up in the area as my family owned the Holsum Bakery (Fuchs Baking CO). It was a great area to grow up in. Nobody has mentioned heading down US1 to eat at Shortys. Great place and still there.
Did anybody tour the bakery?
I toured the bakery when we moved to Kendall in 1961.
Not in South Miami but not too far away was Lawerence Drugs. The owners lived across the street from us. Can anyone pinpoint the location for me? Like Sunset Drugs, it no longer exists with that name. And was the old Sunset Drugs razed or just remodeled to make the present CVS.
Looks like the Dobbs House on the notrth side of Sunset maybe a block east of Red also bit the dust. No sign of it on Street View or aerial images.
See You Soon, Big Raccoon!!!
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Does anyone remember the toy store that was on Sunset Drive next to foot works, little amazing toy store, and can't think of the name?
Wow--these comments are a real "blast from the past." From 1962 'til 1973 I lived on SW 87th Street just behind Dante Fascell Park on Snapper Creek. I used to ride my bike down Red Road to the dam right across from the Parrot Jungle to fish--caught a couple of snook there. Later on, we rode our bikes further down to Gables by the Sea where we dived for lobsters--great memories! Yes I remember the smell of the Holsum bakery, and Hitchcock's hardware store--remember Sylvia. I used to buy Slim Jims at the 7/11 next to the Farm Store. I went through Hurricane Betsy in 1965 in South Miami Hospital with my arm in traction. One of my last acts down there in 1973 was to buy the engagement ring for the love of my life at the jewelry store next to Zipps Sporting Goods. After a career in the Navy, I now live in Northern Virginia.
I remember u guys! I lived in The Gables and bought many suits there! In the heart of south Miami. Amazing!
Where to begin? Third gen Miamian, born and raised in Coral Gables just off Segovia Ave near Miracle Mile. My father, brothers and I all attended UM and my dad was Capt of the football team in 1939-40 then drafted WWII where he flew munitions for naval Air Force. When he returned, he taught aviation at Baker and Embry, then started Aerodex near MIA off perimeter road (cargo airline). My brother and I attended St James Lutheran school, and I had my 10th birthday party at The Red Diamond (we ate there weekly). Fond memories of shopping Miracle Mile, the old Miracle Theatre, Dadeland Mall, Monty Trainers, Christies, Uncle Toms BBQ and paying $5 to park in someone's yard to walk to the Orange Bowl and watch the Fins play! Loved Ceandon park beach and zoo (even lived on Key Biscayne for a short time) and spent weekends skating around Coconut Grove, hanging out at The Taurus, Monty Trainers or The Planetarium. What about the Italian Renaissance Faire at Vizcaya gardens?! Summers swimming at Venetian pool, or caddying for my dad at The Biltmore (we swore it was haunted)! I'm 49 now and live near Orlando, but I truly miss the way Mismi used to be. Great memories.
Burdine's was amazing! I bought my prom dress and wedding gown there! I cried when they closed.
Just found this blog and relived some good memories. I grew up on 50th Terrace just off Red Road, not quite South Miami, not quite Coral Gables, but remember most of what was there in the 50's, 60's, 70's 80's, 90,s and yes , even after 2000. My parents lived at the house on 50th Terrace from 1945 to 2001, then moved to East Ridge Retirement Village in Cutler Ridge, sadly, they are now gone.
The OK Feed Store had great smells, and the drug store next store had big blue bottles up on shelves. I have collected postcards of the Holsum Bakery Christmas Display, perhaps there is a way to show them on the blog.
Mack's Cycle shop on 62nd was an early hangout and later the "new" shop in SM was big and fancy. We snake hunted in the rock pits and swam too.
High School was Coral Gables, graduating in 61, played lots of baseball at CG Youth Center and pick up football at the UM fields
My younger brother and I fished all over, UM lake, Matheson Hammock at night, Gables Waterway, across from Dante Fascell before the park was there, waded Matheson beach for bonefish.
Too much to remember, too much to write
Thanks
Back quickly, just thought of the bike rides with my brother and friend Eric to the Vagabonds at 62nd and Sunset? For ice cream, circa 1954-56. Nearby was the old police station and library.
So far no one writes of JRE Lee Elementary and the black section of South Miami, we really were separate back then. I remember hanging with black kids at the Miller Road Canal, later a park, we fished and they fished.
Loaded with thoughts and pictures in my head.
Ran into this blog while trying to rack my brain searching for the name of the Pie shop by Holsum bakery. I think it was Pie Fair and my brother used to die over their Boston Cream pie. Does anyone remember the name of this pie shop on Red Rd next to Holsum's bakery? thanks, tf
Does anyone have any old photos of Sunset Drive at Red Road? I'm searching for a photo and history of Sunset Drugs owned by my great-grandfather Byron Brazil (B.B.) Freeland. Thank you!
I was born and raised in South Miami on Sunset Drive. Was there from 1955 to 1969. I'm quite sure the drug store at that location that we used WAS called Sunset Drugs at that time, but I'm sorry to say we didn't take more pictures of Old South Miami. I do hope you discover some for your research.
Wow. Born/raised in South Miami too, but a bit later when the Bakery Center was going in and Sunset Drugs and Gardner's Market were very upscale places that had been remodeled and sold only the finest goods. I am so glad to find stories of La Glace Bakery. On visits to fine bakeries all over the globe, I still try to find the rum-cream-filled "angel wings" I used to get there all the time.(If you read this, PLEASE post stories/recipes and universal name for this item.) Nobody mentioned Marshall Majors Deli, the amazing breakfasts and enormous deli sandwiches at Sam & Carl's, when Pizza d'UM was a Little Ceasar's (when that wasn't a bad thing), Fancy's restaurant and catering, lunch/brunch at Beverly Hills Cafe (the outdoor patio was great), Your Father's Mustache, Pie Fair, Yumbrella, Nathan's Famous, (there was a good french bistro and chinese rest on US1/near Fox's), New England Oyster House, one of the first Arby's (when that wasn't a bad thing either), Jefferson's/Montgomery Wards, Shell City/Zayre's, the Vietnamese place on US1 next to Snapper Creek, LUMS on US1 + in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables Federal, Sea Shanty at University Inn! ;-D
I remember a little Danish bakery back in the 50s and 60s in South Miami. Just a little hole in the wall, but I'm wondering if it expanded to something larger after I moved away in 1969? Oh, you mentioned Lum's hot dogs. I'm drooling! And Howard Johnson's had really good dogs. :-)
To NytViolet
I grew up in Miami Springs on Minola Dr one block from the Old Pan Am / Eastern Airlines terminal on the 36st side. My Dad Will Hart along with two others (Ray Jenks and Mr Swensen) founded Aerodex in November of 1946. They were converting war surplus DC-3s C-46s B-17s etc into airliners and cargo aircraft. I remember playing in the shops as a kid. They sold Aerodex in 1949. From your mention of Aerodex I assume one of them must be your Dad. I would like to get in touch with you and compare notes, photos, information and memories of Aerodex, as my information is not complete and My Dad did not talk much about it. I just stumbled across this Blog by accident.
My Dad worked for Holsum Bakery from the mid 50's until the 80's. I also worked there after school "part time" in production, surplus store and special delivery from 1967-1970. Jerry Lewis was the head of production, Doc was over the Surplus store and Mr. Hutty Atkinson was my boss in special delivery. I used to go and explore the attic area of the old theater section of the bakery back then. It still had a lot of stage props stored up there.
I too got my first custom bikini at Connie Banko when I was 16. My mother worked at Pilgrims in south Miami and I remember going in field trips from south Miami elementary to holsum bakery. I loved how they gave you a loaf of bread when you left!!!! It was great growing up in south Miami. I live in Nyc now and it's so different. Loved celebrating special occasions at Joes. Does anyone remember the Yorkshire Inn on bird road ? I have lived in New York for almost 40 years and I still remember the phone number for Frankes Pizza!!
I owned the SuperNatural Restaurant and Juice Bar on Sunset Drive and US 1. Healthy vegetarian food!
www.brigittemars.com
I just want to say, "Hello" to my south Miami neighbors. It's been so much fun reading about familiar places. I was born in Miami in 1955 and grew up in that nice little neighborhood across Red Road from Dante Fascell Park. My father was the Chief Circuit Court Judge of Dade county. I attended Sunset Elementary, Ponce, and Gables-pretty typical for south Miami Protestant and Jewish kids. My Catholic neighbors went to Epiphany and Lourdes and Columbus. In the early 60's we bought our new baseball gloves at Zip's (some people called it Jip's as in, "What a jip!") We bought our car and airplane models and comics at Sunset 5&10. We purchased the latest Beatles 45's at Spec's and went to the Lowes theater next door for movies. I went to Mrs. Novakowski's Coco Plum Cotillion for three years. I attended every Dolphin game right from the start and attended every home game in 1972 and 1973-the greatest Dolphins years ever! My dad was a bg UofM alum so we were at all of the Hurricane games at the Orange Bowl, too.
Hi, South Miami neighbor! I was also born in 1955 and lived on Sunset Drive. Your dad wasn't Judge Floyd by any chance? I went to Ludlam Elementary. My name was Susan Andrews, and I remember a Poodie Floyd whose father was Judge Floyd. Any connection? So many wonderful memories growing up during that era in South Miami. My father worked for Eastern Air Lines.
Cheers, Susan
Hi All
I was thinking of Marshall Majors so looked it up and discovered this post.I enjoyed reading every ones memories. I worked at Four Way Street Clothing on Sunset Drive around 1976...for a few years. Got up early and did my wash at the laundry mat next to LA Glace Danish Bakery. Would go their for a snack or Farm Stores for ice cream. Remember Connie Bank and family...regards to them, Roberts Western Wear, Nathan Hot Dogs, College Inn for Greek gyros, how about Dons Drugs for banana pudding down a bit on US 1
Anybody have Memories of Four Way Street? Barry...Billy...Gene
Barbara, Polly Maria...Hi to all. Bruce
Never lived in Florida, but I was cleaning out my closet today and I am Finally going to part with my Connie Banko half moon bathing suits. LOL. They had always fit me perfectly and I always had people stop me on the beach to ask me where I had gotten them. Mine were solid colors with bandeau tops and they were always classy and in good taste. The store that I used to buy them in was called "Water Wear". Best two pieces ever!
Lived in South Miami as a toddler,then as a teen ager. I worked at the Supernatural, as well as a place that opened (briefly) next door. The miso dressings,soups were awesome at the S'Natch...other membrances...The Male Image had coolest of clothing and accessories,Zipps, what about he Yumbrella across the highway on Red? Like an early version of D&B. First girlfriend was at Little Foxes Day Care,age 5. Met again later at South Miami High and renewed our friendship. I still go there for Whole Foods and Barnes and Nobles, but the Moderne Book Store was amazing. I can still remember the smell of the books!
Lived a couple of blocks off Red Rd/Sunset Dr (Yamuri Ave?)
as a teen and worked at Sunset Drugs on the corner of Red & Sunset - 1966.'68. Mr. Margolas owned it, I think? Spent a lot of time at The Flick Coffee House back then close to the university. Oh, my ... the memories.
Lived on 86th near Dante Fascell and Snapper Creek from 66 to 71. I remember taking tennis lessons one year at the park from a cute (I was 7) blonde named Chrissy. Several years later watched her play at Wimbleton - Chris Everette. Went to Sunset Elementary through 5th grade. Does anyone remember Mr. Gooden - my fifth grade and favorite teacher. I remember playing little league in the ball fields of Sunset Elem. Bob Grease would come bring his new baby to watch our practices. Would ride bike up to Coconut Grove on weekends to see the boats anchored there. Would drive by Holsum and we'd tell mom to open her purse so we could take the smell home. Remember riding bikes up to little coin shop just down from Roberts Western Wear. Farm stores grape sherbet was the best. Good times.
Wow, Chris Everett! What great memories!
I also now live in nyc and got my first bikini at Connie banko in 1968. I remember she put. Spas in ONE side to make me look even (although I didn’t have much ) and when I was swimming with a boy when I was sixteen i
Saw it floating in the ocean!!! Funny how things stay with you !! I am now 63!!!
Hi All,
Hi Annonymous, my father was a Circuit Court Judge too. I was born 1954. Went to Pinecrest elem, Palmetto Jr and Palmetto Sr. Lived in Kendall, now Pinecrest, near Old Cutler, rode the buses all over town, rode my little metal boat through canals to Dadeland,hung out at Parrot Jungle snack bar on way home from school, bought candy at news stand near A&P at corner of US1,Bought Charles Chips at Farm Stores in South Miami and Loved the Banana Cream Pie at Pie Fair. Also bought first bikini at Connie Banko in 1968. I Lived in the area until 1988. Sounds like we all had the same childhood!
Any body remember Lee's Bakery on US1 around Homestead? Best key lime pies.
Shop with one of the affordable bikini stores in Fort Lauderdale and elevate your luxury swimwear experience that will bring you comfort with a cheeky touch of sexy and fun.
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I grew up just off Sunset Drive, (55th ave) across from Doc Thomas’s house (which is still there,) I was there from 1950-1956!
Debbie Erwin
Hi, Debbie! I was born at Mercy Hospital in Miami in 1955, and lived at 6467 Sunset drive in South Miami, where Orr Pond is now. I walked to school at Ludlam Elementary. I remember Doc and his horse! And we used to go into the feed store often. I am SO very happy to hear that Doc's home is still there! We moved to the lovely Ozark Mountains of Arkansas in 1969. I feel so very fortunate to have grown up in South Miami in that era. Every kid's dream!
Best regards, Susan Church
Russellville, AR
Hi fellow South Miami Lovers, grew up at 7950 Sunset Drive, Our House was full of tropical fruits from the original owner, I would pick fruit and sell it on Sunset Drive in my red little wagon what a ball...
Went to Ludlam Elementary also school at UOfM West Laboratory. Used to ride my Mack Schwinn Cotton Picker from home to Coconut Grove by myself. Remember the Pie Fair, how bout Sam And Carls great Deli I left in My brother was on the Skipper Chuck show in the 70's There was a breakfast house in front of Holsom bread. Remember Jai lai on Dixie Highway In elementary school I helped at The Gas station in 1973 10 YO, I think it was a Texico on Sunset I had no right to be pumping gas at 10 39Cents gallon It was a safe and great time. Drive Thru Milk stores I still have the sign from Royal Castle on Sunset Great little burger Thanks for letting me share Alan Estroff (Sherman)
Hi Debbie. I think we used to board our horse at Doc Thomas'.
Anyone remember the Skipper Chuck Show? I remember being on it when I was 7.
Wow I miss Banjo Billy's Showboat, and the Skipper Chuck show. And The Friendly Giant!
I Loved all the little parks,and the bigger ones too!
7/11 now in San Antonio, Texas ..
7/11 now in San Antonio, Texas ..
And who else was a "Coral G Ranger"?( I was a Four Star General! Twice! )
And who else was a "Coral G Ranger"?( I was a Four Star General! Twice! )
Wow I miss Banjo Billy's Showboat, and the Skipper Chuck show. And The Friendly Giant!
I was a Coral G Ranger. I was so proud when my badge (I think) came in the mail.
I found this blog too by google it Marshall Majors. Loved breakfast there as a young bride.
The Thai restaurant next to Holsum was "Tiger Tiger Teahouse". When Bakery Center was built they moved to one of the "prime" restaurant locations on the Sunset side (next to the drugstore).
Anyone remember an upscale dinner on Sunset in the 1980's across from Connie Banks? Great hamburgers...
Fun reading through these comments. I worked at Connie Banko bikinis as my first real job. And loved smelling Holsom bakery as I drove to work. Fond memories for sure!
OH...before I forget... someone above was wanting the name of the duckie park in South Miami. It's Fuchs Park...6445 SW 81st St, Miami, FL 33143
Someone had asked the Chinese restaurants' name down by 152nd and US1.
It was called the Pagoda.
I LOVED that baking bread smell from Holsum.
I grew up between Bird road and Coral Way, just east of the Palmetto.
Reading your blog brought back some great memories. Thank you kindly.
I haven't seen reference to Arebetter's or Dixie Doughnuts, Pizza Patio, hell Frankie's still goin strong; last I checked. The Ole Hickory BBQ on Bird east of the Palmetto, Tropical Park was a race track back then. Campus Life had their haunted house in the old grandstand.. Across from Tropical was The Copa... That was one of my Dads first gigs in Miami..Sadly, it's now a funeral home...Daddy also played at the Big Daddys further down Bird road..also a funeral home...in later years he played at Bogey's Barn...on 152nd..
On Coral Way just past my Jr.High... West Miami..There was a putting range there.... and further down near the railroad tracks was Central Stadium and a Drive in Movie theater ...Coral Way Drive In (they actually have a website, go figure). My friends used to ride our bikes everywhere.... spent a lot of time on the catwalk (over the Palmetto near the Bird road exit. still there) watching movies on the Tropicare Drive In Screen...actually went to Emerson Elementary so had to use the catwalk.... Loved the Swap Meet at the Tropicare. Sunnyland Skating Rink.... wooden floor.... The Fun Place ..hahahahah....still love pinball. I remember when they got the first actual video game in there. Space Invaders.
I turned 5 on the move down from NJ. We ended up getting to our new house before the movers did. We stayed in what used to be The Dadeland Inn. Now it's a stip mall...The Checkmate Lounge was in the corner...it became Tony Roma's... I ended up working there for 10 years..then... You Fathers Moustache in SoMia...Foxx's The Sherron Inn has been there forever. What about Eskils clogs w the lil owl...the County Seat...
Suniland Movie Midnight Movies.. Warriors, Dawn of the Dead, Yes songs...
Space Transit Planetarium laser light shows... Pink Floyd and Led Zep
Hangin out at the Vita course in the grove...Freebird riding around tellin stories...Graffiti Wall..serious land crabs out there...thrill hill...
Crandon Park Zoo... with the little train that went around the perimeter, the outdoor skating rink at Crandon, the carousel, and other rides. I remember when they had Battle of the Network Stars out there.
Im gonna stop now
but dang those were some good ole times
Thanks for the Memories
I just read a obituary from August 15, 2021 from Miami for Robert Brosnan that quoted that he owned Holsom bakery. Any one heard of hi? My mom would be upset that her dad Charles Fuchs did not own the bakery. Or was there a Holsom (not Holsum the large bakery)in South Miami.
Did they make onion boards?
Pizza at The Red Diamond!😋🍕
Pilgrims - they sold Davidson pants which I drooled over but at $14/pair my parents said “Are you kidding?”
Wasn’t there a lounge on US 1 right before Sunset? Also a Cantonese Chinese restaurant??
The bakery on the north side of Red heading south just past Sunset???
Yes, The Flame, Yes, Sunniland, and,Yes, Snoden's. Worked at FPL Cutler Plant in that era!
I had a Connie Banko bathing suit in 1979, bought it at the San Jose I. Magnin, it was a stunning suit, I was 18 years old. I have never forgotten that suit. I just Googled it today, to see if her suits were still around. Beautiful design and very high quality!
I knew Billy Freeland and his sister Nancy. I am searching for them. Please help
I am as born at Kendall hospital and lived there until 1961. I had a good friend Nancy Freeland and her older brother Bill. Please help me find them.
I moved to South Miami in 1960. I lived on SW 56th Ave. in the Emeline Apts.(no longer there), one street over from Red Road and one block from Sunset Drugs, the 7-11 and the little bakery. There was and still is a house on Sunset and SW 56th Ave that had a horse named Goldie in an area back behind the house. I loved that shy and reclusive horse! Went to Sunset Elementary School. 3rd grade, Mrs.Fotinas. 4th grade, Mr. Marks, who didn’t give homework! 5th grade, Mr. Needham. 6th grade, Mrs. Rivas, my all-time favorite teacher! A sign over her classroom door said, “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.” The coaches for PE were Coach Karrifio and Coach Cintros, one was gruff and one was kind, respectively. Loved the school’s giant field; sadly no longer there. We rode our bikes to school, sometimes along Sunset where the sidewalk was broken up by the banyan tree roots. There was a candy store along the way that we sometimes went to. The owner seemed perpetually angry with us kids but we loved the store anyway - worth it! Red Sunset 5 & 10 was where I got my first Barbie in that black and white bathing suit. The owner was so kind to us always. And, ahhh, Sunset Drugs, where my brother & I practically lived! Largely left to our own devices, we had many after-school snacks at the counter and many dinners there, sans parents. There was a tiny diner called Fred’s, where I used to get a steak sandwich for 65 cents. Best steak sandwich of my life. We used to go up to the roof of the Red Sunset Bldg. (not supposed to do that) and drop tiny pebbles on people as they walked along the sidewalk. We drooled over all the colors of Capezios in the store below. Holsum Bakery’s lovely aroma of bread seemed magical. A Chinese restaurant near Sunset & Hwy. #1 was my mother’s favorite, with food cooked at your table on a hibachi. I can still smell it. The bowling alley at Sunset & Hwy. #1 was where my dad taught me to bowl. WFUN, Fun Radio! My friend and I rode our bikes there (on Sunset but across Hwy. #1) and were shocked and dismayed that there was no big fun party going on there at all, just a quiet room with a guy sitting alone at the microphone. But it sounded so FUN on the radio! Haha, huge letdown. Was in love with Red Diamond Restaurant. Their lasagna! Does anyone out there have the recipe?? And Santa Croce Restaurant near Loew’s theater. So good! Bought my favorite 45s at the record store next to Loew’s Riviera. Loved the double feature Kiddie Show at Loew’s every Saturday. I think it was 25 cents. And the ushers with their flashlights kicking out the kids shooting spitwads from the balcony. We used to drag huge cardboard boxes from the trash behind the music store at Red Sunset back to our apartments and make big forts with windows. My grandkids can’t believe we could eat mangoes, avocados, coconuts and bananas whenever we wanted because they were everywhere, just going uneaten. The mailman used to break open coconuts for us. We made money from lemonade stands, woven potholders, talent shows and key faubs made from woven palm tree leaves.
We walked and rode bikes to Matheson Hammock. We touched priceless items we weren’t allowed to touch at Viscaya and imagined swimming in that indoor/outdoor pool. But we really did swim at Venetian Gardens! I remember Arby’s when it was delicious. When the McDonald’s first opened near South Miami Hospital (‘67, ‘68?) we would go there at closing and they’d give us grocery-sized bags of french fries!
Remember the cafeteria near there? And a bar called The Dungeon? My father briefly managed it. I learned how to sail at Key Biscayne on a little 8 ft. (?) sailboat by a cute instructor with sunbleached hair. In junior high we took our surfboards on the Greyhound to South Beach and surfed, worshipped skin cancer (no sunscreen) and ate bagels from a tiny bagel place across the street. We saw the Beatles arrive at Miami International Airport. We saw Jim Morrison perform at Key Biscayne. We ice-skated at The Polar Palace.
There was a novelty shop on Sunset Drive called Sparkle Plenty but there was another novelty shop on Sunset across from Sparkle Plenty. Does anyone remember the name of that store?
The Yorkshire Inn closed years ago and for some reason they knocked the building down and it’s been a vacant lot for years. I haven’t been to Bird Road in ages so I don’t know if there is anything built on that land or not.
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