Antique market returns to Coconut Grove

February 1, 11:09 PMMiami Travel ExaminerGeorge Leposky

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Shoppers © Ron Jakubisin

Coconut Grove’s monthly antique market,  formerly held in the Coconut Grove
Convention Center, has resumed under new management and moved to a new location – Mayfair Shops in the Grove.

Antique vendors, including many who were regulars at the convention center, are happy to be back in the Grove. The managers of Mayfair’s nearly empty retail sections, abandoned by high-end national chain stores several years ago, are equally happy to have new tenants and prospective purchasers walking around again.

The January 2009 show attracted more people to Mayfair than the previous tenants ever did. Some merchants sold from tents along Mayfair’s promenade, while others set up tables in empty storefronts.

The Mayfair Antique Market is managed and organized by Production Sud,  which also manages an antique market on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.

“Our January market, the first antique market held in the Mayfair Shops drew 25 vendors, 10 of whom had participated in the old market, and 2,000 shoppers over the three days of the market,” says Ron Jakubisin of Ronald Jakubisin & Associates, the marketing and public relations representative for Mayfair Shops and Production Sud. “The vendors’ offerings included antique books, collectables, furniture, objects d'arts, paintings, and vintage clothing. Other antique vendors from the old show stopped by and expressed interest in coming back.”

Previous market blew away

The previous market, which regularly drew 4,000 to 5,000 people over a weekend, became homeless after the convention center sustained severe hurricane damage in 2005. Rather than repair it, city officials closed it in 2007. Ever since, the Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce has been receiving phone calls asking when the antique market would resume.

Tents Outdoors © Ron Jakubisin

It had operated for more than a quarter-century under the auspices of Coconut Grove Cares, a local charity. Proceeds were used to benefit The Barnyard Community Center, which assists at-risk children and their families in the West Grove.

The founder of Coconut Grove Cares, Elizabeth W. L. Virrick, was a Junior League member, a community organizer, and a close friend of environmentalist and political activist Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who is remembered as “the grandmother of the Everglades.”

Interesting architecture

Mayfair consists of two separate, architecturally interesting buildings designed by Miami architect Kenneth Treister. His inspiration for the design was the famed Rookery Building, the oldest high-rise still standing in Chicago. Completed in 1888, it was designed by architects John Wellborn Root and Daniel Burnham of the firm of Burnham and Root. Frank Lloyd Wright remodeled the lobby in 1905.

Mayfair Antique Markets are planned for February 13, 14, and 15; March 13, 14, and 15; April 10, 11, and 12; and May 8, 9, and 10.  Market hours are noon to 8 PM on Fridays, 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays, and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sundays. The organizers are planning future dates through the summer.  Admission is free.

Tables with items for
 sale © Ron Jakubisin

 The February market dates coincide with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, so parking that weekend will be difficult. To avoid the traffic, take Metrorail to 27th Avenue and ride a shuttle bus into the heart of the Grove. On the other dates, plenty of parking is available in and near Mayfair.

The Mayfair Antique Market is held in the Promenade area and storefronts of Mayfair Shops in the Grove, 2911 Grand Ave., Miami FL 33133.  

Market management company Production Sud   PO Box 191943, Miami Beach FL 33139, 305-673-4991.

Guest article written by Miami Food and Drink Examiner Rosalie E. Leposky

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