Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Thursday, March 23, 1961, page 3 (of 24)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
CG's Shopping District Is Delightful to Visit
Downtown Coral Gables is one of the most beautiful shopping areas you will find anywhere in the United States. Even the names of the principal shopping streets reflect the charm that is so much in evidence here. The most famous of the many streets is Miracle Mile, six lanes wide and bordered by swaying palms and lush, perfectly landscaped tropical gardens. Here the shops are modern and chic, catering to every need and desire of the whole family. Ponce de Leon Boulevard is Coral Gables' major north-south shopping street and artery. From Eighth Street on the north to University Drive on the south, Ponce (as it is locally known) boasts of an unusually wide variety of shops and stores. If you are looking for a custom bootery or a gourmet speciality shop, you'll find it on this famed street. Like Miracle Mile, gracious palms line the boulevard. Shopping in Coral Gables is by no means confined to these two streets, however. Some of the most distinctive shops featuring the finest merchandise are located on the many side streets near the Ponce-Miracle Mile hub. Biltmore Way, Alhambra Circle, Aragon, Giralda and many others all add to the completeness and distinction of Coral Gables' downtown shopping district.
Self-Guided Tour Is A Must for Visitors
A visit to Coral Gables is considered a "must" by most tourists coming to the Miami area. Mindful of the city's many visitors, civic officials have laid out a Self-Guided Tour that winds past the major points of interest. Clearly identified orange signs with directional arrows mark the entire route. To aid the visitor and resident alike who would like to take this tour, the Chamber of Commerce has available free tour maps. The Chamber's offices are located at 50 Aragon Avenue. The maps may also be obtained at the Information Desk at city hall.
Motorists Like Gables' Accessibility, Parking
Two factors play a big part in the popularity Coral Gables enjoys with the motorized shopper. First is the ease of access. Several major traffic arteries from all parts of Dade County lead directly to the Gables shopping area. Once in Coral Gables, the shopper finds that the traffic is surprisingly light due to the unusually wide main streets and the one-way secondary streets. Contributing greatly to this pleasant situation are the numerous off-street parking lots operated by the city. The majority of the 16 city-operated parking areas are located on the streets immediately adjacent to the main shopping thoroughfares with frequent convenient walk-throughs. A special sign has been designed to direct the motorist to the lots. Consisting of a large capital "P" set in a blue rectangle, the signs also have an arrow pointing in the direction of the nearest parking area.
There's More to Come
This advertisement will be published in full page size in both The Miami Herald and The Miami News, Friday, March 24th, and Sunday, March 26th, respectively. Radio will also be used heavily during this period. A total of 42 commercials per day will be aired over WVCG, WCKR, WGBS and WINZ for a four day period beginning tomorrow.
Easter IN CORAL GABLES
Shopping. Candy and gifts; bright colors and the laughter of children. Eggs in baskets, or hidden away for fun... "Look—there's a blue one under the bush!" Excelsior—and spring cleaning. New draperies, new paint, new clothes for the family. A time of renewal and new life... when even Florida seems a little greener. Easter shopping in Coral Gables. New hats, suits and shoes. Party dresses and garden furniture. "What a beautiful new color scheme!" The things of spring... the things people want and need, to make living so much more comfortable. Your Easter shopping time is more profitably spent in the "City Beautiful"—where shopping is purest pleasure. Coral Gables.