So who will be fleeing from the beach this weekend?

**Carlos Miller** · 05-21-2009, 02:51 PM

I'll most likely be on the beach this weekend shooting video of all the craziness going on for Memorial Day Weekend.

If anybody is brave enough, come join me for a beer.

**Gus** · 05-21-2009, 02:57 PM

We're staying in town, and I believe Matt Meltzer is making a special trip down to celebrate the festivities.

Yesterday, I was driving around South Beach, and it was like a ghost town. The only time I've seen the streets this quite was before a hurricane.

I imagine the Memorial Day Weekend visitors will start arriving today.

Personally, I am happy Urban Beach Week comes to Miami, every year. Given the state of the economy, South Beach needs all the business we can get.

**Talmage** · 05-21-2009, 03:50 PM

I am glad people are coming to south beach, but I'm taking advantage of the three day weekend and heading to Orlando! Check out this awesome house we rented:

http://www.villadirect.com/view_prop...=KR862&qtPromo

**sungal** · 05-21-2009, 07:00 PM

Sadly, I'm out of town..

Carlos you should be careful, and have some biz cards to hand out incase people are curious to see the end product.

**Maria de los Angeles** · 05-21-2009, 07:19 PM

Brad and I, Ford Fiesta Team 66, will be doing an official mission on Miami Beach, probably Monday. We were thinking of doing some tailgating, if the city would let us. Stay tuned! Carlos, when are you going?

**Carlos Miller** · 05-21-2009, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by Maria de los Angeles

Brad and I, Ford Fiesta Team 66, will be doing an official mission on Miami Beach, probably Monday. We were thinking of doing some tailgating, if the city would let us. Stay tuned! Carlos, when are you going?

I will probably get there late afternoon on Saturday when the light is good. Maybe around five or so.

Then I might go into Club Deuce to begin my research on my Oldest Bar in Miami article.

**Carlos Miller** · 05-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by sungal

Sadly, I'm out of town..

Carlos you should be careful, and have some biz cards to hand out incase people are curious to see the end product.

Gus is printing up the cards now. Should be ready by tomorrow.

**Mario** · 05-21-2009, 10:22 PM

Carlos, I'm brave enough....I can also run fast...When are you going to be on the beach?

**Carlos Miller** · 05-21-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mario

Carlos, I'm brave enough....I can also run fast...When are you going to be on the beach?

I'm a slow runner. But I'm a fighter. Not that I think anything will happen.

I'll be there late Saturday. I'll PM you my number.

**coach** · 05-21-2009, 10:59 PM

We'll be here promoting the event. I mean, not on South Beach specifically. We'll be promoting at relevant events around town. But we live in South Beach. Hit us up and we'll drop by.

**Todd Packer** · 05-22-2009, 03:50 PM

I'm toughing it out here. I feel like I'm gearing up for a CAT3.

Actually, I live South of Fifth and I don't think it will be bad here. Since Prive closed down, there isn't much noise whatsoever. Last night, it was pure silence and the parking lots/street parking looked empty. I don't think anything is planned at Nikki Beach either.

Even during WMC, it was pretty quiet around here. I love this area.

**Maria de los Angeles** · 05-22-2009, 05:40 PM

Yeah Burgundy, it's never so bad on the periphery. Ditto the same situation up around mid-beach in years past. You'd never know it was going on.

**Christina** · 05-22-2009, 09:11 PM

I am probably not headed towards South Beach this weekend, but I rarely go to SB on the weekends anyway because I don't like to fight for parking or sit in a garage for an hour waiting to get out.

If it's not pouring, we will probably head up towards my friend's house on mid beach

**Todd Packer** · 05-23-2009, 01:37 AM

This whole weekend is killing the local economy. Joe's is an absolute ghost town right now. Its usually lined with cars around the block for the valet at this time, but I've seen one car the past 20 minutes. I saw maybe 10 people inside when I walked by at 8:00pm. Zero wait for a table. This is prime time for a Friday at Joes.

Nemo - same story. Nearly completely empty with the entire outdoor sitting area vacant. Usually about 75% full at this time.

The Sushi place next door: maybe 3-4 tables filled, the rest empty.

Smiths had a decent crowd (if it was a Monday), but not their usual Friday crowd on the outside bar. They did not even put the tables out along the water for dining.

**Gus** · 05-23-2009, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the business update, Burgundy. That's exactly what Memorial Weekend was like when I worked at Tuscan Steak... Empty.

However, the boutique hotels, scooter rental shops and casual restaurants, like T.G.I Friday are doing great business.

We thought our tours would be dead this weekend, but we ending up selling out, today.

In my opinion, Memorial Weekend is great for helping promote Miami as an exciting place to visit. It might not be ideal for locals, or the owners of high-end restaurants, but the exposure South Beach gets is priceless.

I'm only sorry that it always seems to rain.

**Jess** · 05-23-2009, 05:09 PM

That's good that all the tours sold out :coolsmile:

**Maria de los Angeles** · 05-23-2009, 05:37 PM

Brad and I will be taking the Ford Fiesta to the "party zone" on Monday. For the moment, our mission will be to find a parking spot and to buy some hip-hop clothes.

Hopefully it won't rain on Monday. I'm still wearing a cast boot.

Can't wait to see what photos Carlos gets out of the event.

Burgundy - I thought Joe's was already closed for the season?

**Todd Packer** · 05-23-2009, 08:25 PM

Gus, that is true, but those same businesses do great on every holiday like July 4th, Labor Day, New Years, etc. Its been sunny all day since the morning, but the beach is deserted below 5th right now. All those beach stands and parking attendants are quiet. The big parking lot across from Joes, where beachgoes typically park, is 100% vacant right now at 3:20pm. Its always completely filled by now on Saturdays.

Maria, only Joes Take-Out is closed. The main restaurant is open.