Miami has been teased recently with reports of progress at the new Marlins ballpark. But when it comes to retail spaces in the new city-owned parking garages, things haven't been as simple as "if you build it, they will come."
The hope and promise for the ground floor retail spaces was to offer an experience beyond baseball for the surrounding area -- and, of course, a way for the cash-strapped city to generate revenue.
The city has been bent on attracting "restaurants, sports bars, and a lot of this type of retail that would revitalize the area," according to city commissioner Frank Corollo.
Miami Parking Authority hired a marketing and leasing firm to drum up tenants, but reports say well-known restaurants like Shorty's Bar-B-Q have turned them down -- or at least said, 'not now.'
The firm reportedly struck out with Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza, Lime Fresh Mexican, and Havana Harry's.
Corollo dismisses those reports, saying "nos" haven't been said to a new marketing firm employed by the commission.
"Who did they say 'no' to? There has only been one leasing agent that has been approved by the city commission and the city of Miami and [those businesses] have not spoken to us.
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"I think that some of the business and restaurants...are more than interested, they are just waiting to see who else will be in the retail."
Could a restaurant like the highly successful Shorty's Bar-B-Q even make a go of it in Little Havana? It can only be determined if they first choose to play.
