The Times

Thursday, March 9, 1961, page 18 (of 84)

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Miracle Mile Built By Dreamers

(Continued from Page 5B) lots and installs meters. City and owners share returns from the meters. Within a few years the pine trees had disappeared from Coral Way, replaced by the marble and tile and polished elegance of smart new store fronts. "Zain's Folly", as some had called it, became the shopping someplace of all South Florida. One of Zain's most effective promotional rabbits was pulled from the hat very early in the development. "We realized," Zain reminisced, "that the name 'Coral Way' described a street, not a locality. Moreover, the street ran through parts of three municipalities. Anyone in its whole length could capitalize on our publicity." To remedy this, the smart new shopping section of Coral Way was designated "Miracle Mile." The name was used informally at first. Later, when opposition from unimaginative elements was overcome, action of the City Commission made it official. Crowning Touch Zain and his associates were ready now for the crowning touch. They had assembled a fabulous collection of fine shops and with, a touch of inspiration, had christened it with an unforgettable name. It remained now to make the street look as distinguished as it sounded. "Coral Gables is known all over America as a city of beautiful homes," Zain points out; "we were determined to prove that a shopping street could be made equally typical of Florida at its best." This final touch of grace — the landscaping of Miracle Mile — took 10 years to bring to realization. There were those whose vision failed when they weighed the cost of beautification against its expected benefits. But persistant effort finally prevailed. In November 1955, Miracle Mile became a shopping street set in a garden. Its palm-lined expanse is at last a strong contender for the title George Zain sought for it — "the most beautiful business street to be found anywhere." Today, at 72, Zain has relaxed the pace at which he drove himself for so many years. He and Rebyl live quietly, content to let younger shoulders assume the workaday burdens. But even now, when these about-to-be-honored Gableites speak of the Miracle Mile, there is warmth and enthusiasm and a crusading spirit in their words. "The business section of a city is its mirror" Zain will exclaim. "A beautiful and prosperous business section bears a great portion of the city's tax burden," Rebyl will add. Gableites listen and nod. Dreamers have paid off for Coral Gables.

Plenty Of Parking Is Handy To The Mile

One of the most compelling reasons for choosing the Miracle Mile for a shopping expedition is that parking is so easy and convenient. The Coral Gables business district is honeycombed with off-street parking areas. Visitors are not always aware of this as they drive down Miracle Mile itself, for this busy street is limited to on-street parking spaces with one hour maximum time. But just a block off the Mile, either north or south, there is off-street parking in abundance. Paved And Drained These off-street areas are paved and drained; always dry and firm underfoot. At night they are lighted; at all times they are police patrolled. In nearly all of them, parking for at least three hours is permitted. Some allow even longer use. Convenient pass-throughs make access to Miracle Mile a matter of walking just a few yards. Handy Maps A parking lot map, just a couple of inches square so it can be tucked into a woman's purse, has been published by the city. It shows the location of each off-street lot, the time limits and the rates. Free copies may be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce, 50 Aragon Avenue, or from the information desk in the Coral Gables City Hall. As a further aid in locating municipal parking, the city has placed signs at all business district street intersections. A big white "P" on a blue background calls attention to off-street parking with its direction indicated by an arrow.

Reckless Driver

Reckless driving Feb. 18 cost Edmond J. Allison, of 5430 West Fourth Ave., Hialeah, $50 in Coral Gables Metro Court Monday.

2 FOR 1 SPECIAL PRE-TEEN BERMUDAS

LOVELY PATTERNS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE (Bunny Item) 5.98 ea. USE YOUR PAN AM OPEN MON. & FRI. TILL 9 P.M. Merry-Go-Round PRE-TEEN CHILDREN'S DEPT. STORE 301 MIRACLE MILE, CORAL GABLES

Our Heartiest Congratulations TO THE Miracle Mile Merchants ON THEIR 15th ANNIVERSARY

CITY NATIONAL BANK of Coral Gables 2701 LeJeune Road, from Almeria to Sevilla Avenues Member Federal Reserve System • Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

MOTHERS! WATCH THIS DATE FRIDAY MARCH 10th AT 9 A.M.

We are having a repeat of a Fantastic Sale in our Children's Wear Dept. Cabana Sets, Pedal Pusher Sets, Bermuda Sets, Separates for Boys and Girls— VALUES TO 4.99 1.00 each First Come—First Served! Three Sisters 200 MIRACLE MILE CORAL GABLES

FOR THIS EVENT OUTSTANDING COTTON SWEATER DRESS

REGULAR 29.95 VALUE $15.00 SIZES 10 to 18 Don Mullen Favorite Fashions 232 MIRACLE MILE CORAL GABLES

SPECIAL PURCHASE! Sweaters 5.88

SPECIAL PURCHASE! • BULKY • FANCY • ORLON • CARDIGAN Sweaters 5.88 SIZES 34 TO 40 VALUES TO 12.99 Lory's Fashion Shop 125 MIRACLE MILE OPEN MONDAY AND FRIDAY TO 9 P.M. OPEN A LORY'S CHARGE ACCOUNT At No Extra Cost

GEM DRUGS

SALE

FINE CLOTHING SELECTED FROM OUR REGULAR STOCK SLACKS REG. TO 19.95 12.99 WOOL • DACRON & WOOL REG. • SHORTS • LONGS 2 PANTS SUITS REG. TO 69.95 49.95 DACRON & WOOL REG. • SHORTS • LONGS • PORTLY SHORTS SUITS REG. TO 49.95 29.95 DACRON & WOOL BLEND (Bunny Item) THE GAYLORD SHOP CLOTHIER • HABERDASHER • HATTER 136 MIRACLE MILE

Hollywood Vassarette. stay there! "SPORTIE SHORTIE"

Hollywood Vassarette. POWER-PACKED CONTROL...NO BIGGER THAN A HANKIE!... "SPORTIE SHORTIE" stay there! 1. A new kind of figure control for all active sportswear. The Stay There "Sportie Shortie" body is made of a single piece of elastic knit with a featherweight front panel. 2. No seams or hems at waist or leg to leave tell tale ridges under the tightest shorts, capri pants or even swimsuits. 3. "Sportie Shortie" weighs less than 2 ounces but offers exceptional derriere and tummy control. "Sportie Shortie is porous, cool and quick drying. Guaranteed machine washable. "Sportie Shortie" Style S-2 White, Black; S, M, L— $3.50 2351 Salzedo Ave. Coral Gables, Fla. CORSET CORNER 2 Doors North of Miracle Mile