The Times

Thursday, February 9, 1961, page 69 (of 80)

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Watch Out For Dadeland, Coral Gables Merchants Cautioned

Is Coral Gables shopping doomed? No, but.... That's the answer more than 70 Gables merchants heard from R. C. Cunningham of First Research Corporation and Robert Hurwitz of Robert S. Hurwitz Advertising Agency Thursday night. The two men spoke to the largest gathering of Gables merchants to be seen in these parts in many years. Albert Friedman, chairman of the Retail Merchants Division of the Chamber of Commerce, called the turnout the largest in the Chamber's history. The merchants had come to hear what the ring of shopping centers springing up around Coral Gables is going to do to their businesses and what they can do about it. Gives Reassurance Cunningham began his talk with the reassurance that Gables shopping is not doomed, but he left no doubt in the minds of the audience that something must be done, if local business is to thrive. The First Research Corporation representative pinpointed the danger in one word - Dadeland. Dadeland is the giant shopping center which will open in 1962 at the intersection of U. S. Highway 1 and No. Kendall Dr. The huge Arthur Vining Davis backed center will have a branch of Burdine's and a major chain department store as its anchor stores. Cunningham dismissed other shopping centers surrounding Coral Gables as of little threat to the assembled merchants. He called these centers a "neighborhood variety with a fixed market." Another Matter Dadeland, however, is another matter. Cunningham described it as a regional shopping center which will serve a market larger than the one now served by Coral Gables. The speaker said that 230,000 people will live within a 15 minute drive from Dadeland when it opens, and this includes Coral Gables. There will be 420,000 people living within 30 minutes of the giant center, he added. What can Coral Gables do to protect itself from the threat of Dadeland? "Forget a link between Coral Gables and the areas on its periphery," Cunningham suggested. He also suggested that the merchants study ways of increasing their share of the market area already available to Coral Gables. This market is "not being tapped to the fullest extent possible," Cunningham said. Other areas are doing better than Coral Gables, although they do not have the quality goods to offer that the Gables does, he said. A 1957 survey made by First Research Corporation showed that Coral Gables is only getting 35 per cent of its market potential, which Cunningham called "not satisfactory." Hurwitz, the second speaker, presented an advertising program which he said would go a long way toward solving Coral Gables' shopping ills. He dared the merchants to accept the challenge of working together in a unified fashion. He also reminded them that the city government has been cooperative in helping the merchants. "Coral Gables has adequate parking," he said, in touching on a subject dear to the hearts of local merchants. To Form Committee During the question and answer period that followed the two presentations, the merchants voted to form a committee of merchants and landlords to plan a "hard sell" program to promote Coral Gables shopping. They indicated that such a program would be financed by an assessment on front footage of local businesses. The dinner meeting was held at the Coral Gables Elks Club. In buying turf grass for home lawns, insist on official certified stock.

THANK YOU! FOR A 48% INCREASE FOR 1960 ONE OF DADE COUNTY'S FASTEST GROWING SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS

Save By The 10th; Earn From The 1st. FREE GIFTS GALORE OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT TODAY $250 OR MORE CHOOSE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING GIFTS PLUS 4% Current Annual Dividend Paid Semi-Annually 1. HALLCRAFT DISHES: 16 pc. sculptured white suitable for any occasion will compliment the hostess' table. This starter set can be added to through better department stores. 2. WEAR-EVER HALLITE: - Your choice 3 1/2 qt. Sauce Pan or 2 1/2 qt. Sauce Pan, or 9-in. Fry Pan. All with copper anodized aluminum covers. 3. REVERE WARE WHISTLING TEA KETTLE: - Lusterous stainless steel with famous Revere copper bottom Whistling Tea Kettle. 2 1/2 qt. size, latest model. 4. G.E. ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCK: - This well-known clock is fully guaranteed by General Electric Co. One that you will enjoy owning. 5. G.E. WALL CLOCK: - Three dimensional effect. Cut out letters. Background in decorator colors, Ideal kitchen clock. 6. FAMOUS SHEFFIELD, ENGLISH SET: - Consisting of 3 piece Carving set and 6 piece matching Steak Knives in double drawer combination chest. 7. BEACON BLANKET: - Full size - soft - warm. Six pastel shades to choose from. Completely washable, Satin bound. 8. GENUINE KODAK BULLET CAMERA: - Smartly styled, black with gold anodized trim and finish. Uses 127 film. Fixed focus from 5 ft. to infinity. 9. TWELVE CUP CARAFE AND WARMER: - This is nationally-advertised Inland Glass. Hand-blown glass. Trimmed in 22 karat gold with gold anodized warmer. Twelve cups, just right for patio servings. 10. TWENTY-ONE INCH TRAVEL BAG: - Can be used as "one suiter". Plastic, tastefully colored scotch plaid. Zipper opening, wear resistant. 11. DETECTO BATHROOM SCALE: - Nationally known bathroom scale available in white only, latest model. Necessity in every home. 12. G.E. HEATING PAD: - 12 X 15. 3 heats. Push button control. Removable treated cover. Washable. Full one year warranty. 60 Watt AC and DC. 13. LADY MANICURE SET: - Nationally advertised electric home and travel Manicure Set. Complete in see-through plastic case, tastefully colored. You'll want one of these. THANKS TO THE CONFIDENCE OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN DADE COUNTY'S GREAT SOUTHWEST, WE HAVE GROWN FASTER THAN ANY OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTY. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MERIT YOUR CONTINUED PATRONAGE, DON'T HESITATE TO DROP IN AND VISIT WITH US AT ANYTIME. OUR DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. FRED B. HARTNETT President and Director Real Estate and Insurance FRED W. HOOPER Director General Contractor BYRON M. NELSON Executive Vice President and Director S. HILL GORDON, D.D.S. Director JAMES W. McCAUGHAN Secretary and Director Mortgage Banker BEN W. TURNER Treasurer and Director Attorney at Law DAVID H. HENDRICK Assistant Secretary and Director Attorney at Law JOHN M. MONTGOMERY Vice President and Director Insurance and Roofing DON H. WESSELL Director General Contractor OPEN FRIDAY EVENINGS UNTIL 8 P. M. University Federal SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CORAL GABLES Miracle Mile at Ponce de Leon