The Times

There's something about shopping in Coral Gables. People shopping. "Yes Ma'am. It is a low price, and I know he will like it." Different needs. Different budgets. "Mink? Step right this way." A red train moves in a window. Christmas cards. All kinds of Christmas cards. "Look, here's one with a palm tree." A bell rings on a corner and someone smiles. Contagious smiles. "Thank you sir." Along a palm-lined street, the sun glistens against the red-green colors of Christmas. "Would you believe it? Last year I was standing in 23 inches of snow." Tinsel in a palm: Teenagers, sipping sodas. "Make mine vanilla." A salad bowl for Aunt Mabel. "Where does the music come from?" Rows of shops and shops and shops. People shopping. "But really, Charles, is he big enough for a two-wheeler?" So many people enjoy shopping in Coral Gables. So much to see. Where do you shop?

Variety, Convenience Attracting Thousands Christmas Shoppers Flocking to Gables

Christmas 1960 appears destined to break all existing records for the number of shoppers who visited Coral Gables to do their Yuletide shopping. Spokesmen for the Retail Merchants Division and the Chamber of Commerce both expressed their belief that this is a banner season for the city's fashionable shopping area. "The reason's simple," said Mr. Bernie Blanck, President of the Chamber. "All of Dade County has discovered the fact that you can find whatever you want in Coral Gables. Variety, convenience, and selection are the magic words." Citing a few specifics, Blanck pointed out that there are almost two hundred retail shops on Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon Blvd., two of the city's principal shopping streets. The variety of goods available at these shops "staggers the imagination," he said. "Convenience is the second magic word," says the Chamber spokesman. "Sixteen large off-street parking lots are strategically located near the main shopping area, thus alleviating one of the principal headaches for the shopper." Selection is the clincher in choosing Coral Gables for your shopping, says the civic booster. "For instance, do you want a tie for dad? Ties are sold in over 27 shops here. Everything from the most expensive ascot to the thrifty clip-ons for utility wear is available in the Gables."

Coral Gables Stores Open Evenings

Retail stores in the downtown Coral Gables shopping area have decided to remain open evenings beginning Friday, December 9th, until Friday, the 23rd. "This was absolutely necessary," one retail merchant commented, "if we were to accommodate the many people who must work during the day and only have their evenings free to do their Christmas shopping."

Self Guided Tour Is Popular With Visitors

Coral Gables is known as The City Beautiful on a year 'round basis. There is no time of year, however, that better proves this description than the Yuletide season. Throughout the Gables, literally scores of homes become veritable fairylands of festive lights and decoration. There is no better way to enjoy this holiday beauty than the Self-Guided Tour of Coral Gables planned by the city fathers to show all the points of interest in this unusual city. The Self-Guided Tour is ten miles in length and is all clearly marked by pointing signs. To aid the visitor and resident, alike, who would like to take this tour, the Chamber of Commerce is giving away free maps of the Gables that have been marked with the complete route of the tour. Offices of the Chamber are located at 50 Aragon Ave. Tour Maps may also be obtained at the Information Desk at Coral Gables City Hall.

Free, full size, two color reprints of this advertisement are available for mailing at the Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 50 Aragon Avenue.