The Coral Gables Times

Disappointed SM Merchants May Drop Plan

South Miami's merchants, with an ambitious promotional program planned but little of the pledged money paid into the treasury, came near Tuesday morning to abandoning the whole idea. "Let's face it," said committee member Joe Dussault, "It's a failure. We need the cash and we don't have it." About 60 people attended the breakfast meeting at the Capri Cafeteria. "This is a meeting of gloom," began Chairman Al Boas. Boas outlined the poor results obtained in two days' intensive canvassing for money. "The two young ladies making the calls called on 49 merchants. Only seven said yes. We got $442.50. "About 50% said they would send their checks by mail. I haven't checked the morning mail but I'm not expecting any deluge." The meeting lasted until 9 a.m. Several times it seemed as if a motion would be offered to forget the whole idea, a suggestion made strongly by Dussault several times. In the end, with the beginning attendance of 60 slimmed down to about 30 people, the decision was made to leave the matter in the hands of the committee handling the affair. Another day or two of canvassing will take place and a final decision made. MONEY IN THE BANK Boas said that after paying out $800 in connection with Christmas decorations, there is some $1,600 in the bank. He said that the committee, although encouraged to by merchants in an earlier meeting, had not gone out and borrowed the needed $7,500 for Christmas activities on the strength of pledges. "We had faith but not that much blind faith. You can't pay bills with intentions," he said. Chief gripe of those merchants approached was that they want to see more results. Both Boas and Dussault as well as others at Tuesday's meeting said that promotional programs are long-range in nature and cash registers don't ring overnight. OUTSPOKEN Dussault, who said he is at times unpopular for his outspokenness, charged that the program is a failure because "the people who can make it succeed aren't here and won't be here." When a show of hands was asked of those present with authority to sign checks, Chairman Boas announced the count as 18 of the 60 there. Originally, some 90 merchants and landowners had agreed to participate in a year's program of promotions designed for South Miami by a local advertising agency, Frykman and Dearing. Pledged at the time was $20,000. In the first assessment, only 43 paid their assessments. The visits last week and this week were for the second installment. As noted, only seven paid this time. Boas identified those contacted as the "prime" prospects. "If they don't go you can imagine what the rest will do."

BAPTIST MISSIONS

The University Baptist Church will launch its annual World Mission Emphasis Sunday with an executive of the Southern Baptist Convention speaking at the 7:45 o'clock evening service.

FOAM RUBBER

FOR ANY PURPOSE LEWISON INDUSTRIES 2230 S.W. 8TH ST. PHONE HI-8-4390

Time Out

Gables City Commissioners get a bonus vacation this year - both Christmas and New Year's fall on Tuesdays, their regular meeting day. The last regular meeting in December will be the 18th and meetings won't be resumed until Jan. 8.

How Is SM's Business?

How is business in South Miami? Twenty-nine merchants participating in a survey comparing their October, 1962, business with the same month last year, showed: - 15 had a decrease, ranging from 4% to 50%. The average was 10.7%. - 5 had no change. - 9 had a gain. This was from 3% to 30% and averaged 11%. The net decrease for the 29 was 6.5%. The Cuban crisis and the opening of nearby Dadeland were listed as the probably major reasons for the decline.

In The Red Bird Shopping Center It's Belk's Home of Better Values HURRY! BRING THE KIDS! See Santa HERE EVERY NIGHT 6 P.M. TILL 9 P.M. BRING YOUR CAMERA!

ARMEN HOUSE OF BEAUTY

1363 Coral Way Famous brand soft long lasting permanent wave | $7.95 Shampoo, wave & haircut | $3.00 OPEN EVES. UNTIL 10 Phone 379-4075

OPENING

A Danish Physical Fitness Class is Anita Hauge, 244 Valencia Ave. in Coral Gables. A native of Copenhagen, she has been in this country six years. For a year and a half she was a physical therapist at Doctors' Hospital.

Polly Davis CAFETERIAS RED ARROW SPECIALS

SUN. ROAST TURKEY WITH DRESSING AND CRANBERRY SAUCE COMPLETE LUNCH AND DINNER 89¢ SERVED WITH SALAD, VEGETABLE, ROLL & BUTTER, DESSERT AND BEVERAGE MON. VEAL CUTLET AND CEROLE SPAGHETTI TUES. 1/4 BAKED CHICKEN AND RICE WED. POT ROAST OF BEEF Buttered Noodles and Vegetable Gravy Thurs. BAKED HAM With Fruit Sauce FRI. FILET OF SOLE and Tartar Sauce SAT. POT ROAST OF BEEF BUTTERED NOODLES AND Vegetable Gravy HOURS 11 A.M. - 2:15 P.M. • 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. COUPON 10¢ Good for 10c on the purchase of ONE Red Arrow Special at Any Polly Davis Cafeteria 10¢ 10¢ VOID AFTER DEC. 6 10¢

FLORIDA NATIONAL Bank at Coral Gables...

is for people who know that it does make a difference where you bank... join the club! Remember, like Santa, to open your 1963 Christmas Club account now. MEMBER: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM, FLORIDA NATIONAL GROUP 3703

BERNSTEIN BAR MITZVAH

Steven Charles Bernstein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Bernstein, 1420 Algeria Ave., will be Bar Mitzvah Saturday at Temple Judea.

ON A DIET? TRY SWEETA 69¢ SUNSET DRUGS

ON A DIET? TRY SWEETA 69¢ 24 cc. BOTTLE Two drops as sweet as one teaspoonful of sugar without the calories! Plastic purse-size squeeze-a-drop bottle. Economical. SUNSET DRUGS "A COMPLETE DRUG STORE" Corner Red Rd. & Sunset Drive South Miami