Parking at Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill and Big Daddy's Liquors & Spirits, at 2721 Bird Road in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, has always been a challenge. When the Miami Parking Authority added meters to the street parking, the lack of space sent us elsewhere for ribs.
Recently we’ve seen changes. First the lot beside the E-Z Kwik supermarket, 2988 SW 27th Ave. (at the corner of Bird Road and 27th Avenue) gained a path through the fence beside Flanigan’s parking lot, with a large Flanigan’s sign overhead.
Then decorative changes were made to the walls. Last week a Big Daddy’s logo appeared atop the building, and the no-parking zone for delivery trucks disappeared.
Recently I stopped to see what else has changed. I learned that Flanigan’s purchased E-Z Kwik and the adjoining lot to the north, which helps to ease the parking shortage.
Cleaner and brighter inside
Inside, the former E-Z Kwik building is now cleaner and brighter, with chairs at long tables, and wine racks running the length of the store. I wonder what plans are being made for wine tastings and perhaps food service at these tables.
All of Big Daddy’s wine and beer are now located in the former E-Z Kwik. The manager told me they are awaiting approval from the City of Miami to move the liquor stock. The store continues to carry some convenience-store staples, including milk.
The manager said the former Big Daddy’s space will be used to add restaurant seating and to increase the size of Flanigan’s tiny, crowded kitchen.
Stop when you have a moment and see the changes.
Although some people may miss the old, dirty E-Z Kwik, the more spacious liquor store and added parking for both stores are welcome changes. No longer will liquor store customers have to compete with restaurant guests for limited parking, including the two marked parking spaces reserved for the liquor store. I wonder if they will move those signs to the new parking lot? Perhaps they will add some outdoor dining.
Flanigan’s and Big Daddy’s Liquors were founded by Joe Flanigan in 1959. At one time, his enterprise was the world’s largest of its kind. The first was in Pompano Beach, north of Ft. Lauderdale. The Coconut Grove location opened soon after. Today there are 23 Flanigan’s and 13 Big Daddy’s locations around South Florida.
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