TrendingCommercialSouth FloridaABlackstone boosts South Florida portfolio with $116M multifamily buyNew York-based investment giant purchased a 359-unit apartment complex in Miami Lakes
Blackstone is wheeling and dealing in South Florida
picking up a fairly new Miami Lakes multifamily project for $115.9 million
about the same time the global investment firm sold a Hialeah office building
An affiliate of New York-based Blackstone
acquired Solea at Miami Lakes at 17405 Northwest 94th Court
records and real estate database Vizzda show
The deal breaks down to $323,008 per apartment for the 359-unit community of 11 three-story buildings
The seller, Greystar, led by Bob Faith, completed Solea at Miami Lakes in 2023. Two years earlier, the Charleston, South Carolina-based firm acquired the 20.2-acre site for $21.4 million from David Martin’s Terra
two- and three-bedroom units with monthly rents between $2,310 to $3,410
The website also notes that Solea at Miami Lakes has 31 available units and is offering one month’s free rent to new tenants
Two days after acquiring Solea at Miami Lakes, Blackstone and its subsidiary, Link Logistics, sold an older office building in neighboring Hialeah for $20.5 million
The single-story building was completed in 1995
Between November and December, Link Logistics sold three South Florida industrial portfolios in separate deals for a combined $696.8 million. The sales marked the priciest industrial deals of 2024
Also in November, Blackstone sold a 17.7-acre apartment complex in Miramar for $121.3 million
North Carolina-based Bell Partners bought the 349-unit garden-style apartment community consisting of 15 three-story apartment buildings
Meanwhile, Solea at Miami Lakes represents the second South Florida apartment complex built in 2023 and sold by Greystar in recent months. In December, Greystar sold Elan Polo Gardens, a 284-unit community of eight three-story buildings in unincorporated Palm Beach County, for $102.4 million
the real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
MIAMI LAKES
– A Miami Lakes insurance agent is facing multiple felony charges after state investigators said he personally “pocketed” a more than $220,000 insurance premium on a condominium association’s policy
Leer en español
But he’s already staring down a three-year federal prison sentence in an unrelated case for an even bigger swindle
Authorities said the agent in question is Heleonel Gonzalez
who runs Sharp Insurance Agency at 6175 NW 153rd St.
and the victims were the owners of the Wilshire Condominium
investigators with the Florida Department of Financial Services said that the association paid Gonzalez
But authorities said when asked to produce a copy of the policy
Gonzalez “kept making excuses for not providing” it
Investigators said Gonzalez purchased the policy but canceled it after three months
leaving the association without coverage for nine months
Authorities said bank records showed the money went to Gonzalez’s personal account
The $220,000 investigators said was stolen pales in comparison to the $6 million Gonzalez was convicted of stealing in a Georgia federal court case in November
He pleaded guilty to bank fraud for orchestrating a scheme to defraud that state’s Peach State Federal Credit Union
Authorities said he “used the loan proceeds to pay personal debts and expenses.”
According to trade publication Insurance Journal
a judge handed Gonzalez a 41-month prison sentence and ordered that he pay $5 million in restitution
He’ll also “have to forfeit a property he purchased in the ski resort area of Park City
authorities arrested him on felony charges of first-degree grand theft
diversion of $100,000 or more in insurance funds
organized scheme to defraud and uttering forged instruments
he was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $35,000 bond
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Grant Miller eats the best burgers at Mayor’s Cafe in Miami Lakes
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Miami Lakes Council member Josh Dieguez won a runoff to become the new Mayor of Miami Lakes
defeating Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez by a comfortable margin
Dieguez had 56% of the vote to win the right to succeed Manny Cid as Miami Lakes’ top elected official
Just 3,987 of the town’s 21,093 registered voters (19%) cast ballots Tuesday
A 35-year-old lawyer serving his second term on the Town Commission
when neither secured more than half the vote
He ran on a record of voting to lower Miami Lakes’ tax rate
increasing the town’s reserve fund and implementing projects to address flooding
Florida Politics contacted Dieguez for comment but could not reach him by press time
Fernandez ran on a commitment to maintain Miami Lakes’ character while improving local services. After it was clear the vote tally was not in his favor, he told the Miami Laker
on to bigger and better challenges.” He said he intends to continue serving the community “in whatever capacity that I’m useful to the town.”
the Mayor position in Miami Lakes comes with limited power
unlike the strong-Mayor job at the county level
Most of the executive work is done by the Town Manager
Fundraising reports show Dieguez and Fernandez were neck-and-neck in raising campaign cash
Fernandez raised $81,000 and spent $65,700
A significant share of his gains was self-given
Dieguez and Fernandez were the only names on the runoff ballot
63-year-old construction professional Angelo Cuadra Garcia defeated 45-year-old auto parts executive Mario Pinera to replace Fernandez in Seat 1 of the six-person Town Commission
Fernandez and 35-year-old lawyer Steven Herzberg won Seats 3 and 5
respectively replacing Marilyn Ruano and Luis Collazo
Cid left office this year to run for Miami-Dade Mayor, placing a distant second in a seven-person contest for the county’s top elected office
Miami Lakes Council members and the Mayor are elected and serve at large
meaning all town residents can vote for candidates seeking any elected office in a given election
Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner
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Roy Ramos
– A 47-year-old man from Miami Lakes was arrested Monday after he shot at two people who told him to stop taking photos and videos of their cars
Monday in the area of 15544 NW 77th Court in Miami Lakes
Leer en español
According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Police Department
Danny Michel Casavilla-Garcia was intoxicated in the parking lot of a shopping plaza when he started to film and take photos of the victims’ vehicles and other cars
confronted Casavilla-Garcia and told him to stay away from their cars
but then returned when Casavilla-Garcia continued to take photos and he pulled out a gun and fired at both victims
Alvarado was standing near his vehicle at the time and was shot in the pelvis
Police said Moreno was sitting in his car and wasn’t injured
shattering the driver-side window and causing damage to the rear passenger door and window
Surveillance video of the incident shows a gunman opening fire on a vehicle in the Miami Lakes parking lot
the passenger gets out and runs for cover while the gunman chases him down while continuing to shoot at him
Alvarado ran into a nearby Shell gas station and called police while Moreno drove off and also called 911 before returning to look for Alvarado
Police said Casavilla-Garcia called 911 as well and told the dispatcher his location
saying he was behind a business in the same shopping plaza
an officer located Casavilla-Garcia and held him at gunpoint until a second officer arrived and placed him in handcuffs
A semi-automatic handgun was found in Casavilla-Garcia’s back pocket
Police said Casavilla-Garcia was transported to the police station for questioning and admitting to drinking and shooting his gun a few times
that he was “not afraid of anyone,” according to the report
Alvarado’s father told Local 10 News that his son remains hospitalized but is expected to survive
Casavilla-Garcia was arrested on multiple charges
shooting or throwing a deadly missile and armed criminal mischief
Casavilla-Garcia was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where his bond had yet to be set
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Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com
Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018
Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City
He attended Christopher Columbus High School
Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St
Amanda Batchelor
Roy Ramos
MIAMI – The attorney for a man accused of shooting at two other men in a Miami Lakes parking lot after they told him to stop taking photos and videos of their cars appeared in court on Wednesday
asking a Miami-Dade judge to grant him bond
Leer en español
is accused of shooting at the men at about 3 a.m
One of them was hit in the pelvis and injured
Casavilla-Garcia was intoxicated in the parking lot of a shopping plaza when he started to film and take photos of the victims’ vehicles and other cars
Police said the men told him to stay away from their cars
Casavilla-Garcia was not in court Wednesday but his family — and his attorney
Egleston argued that a second count of attempted murder warrants a bond
“It’s important to note that the judge did not find sufficient evidence yesterday for the two most important serious charges,” Egleston said
Egleston told Local 10 News that his client felt “his life was in danger” and that he “did not flee” and called police
“He was not a threat to anyone in that parking lot in the early morning hours,” he said
Egleston said because the victims returned to the parking lot
he is confident he can prove his client is a good man acting in self-defense
“We need to fight to get him out,” he said
”He’s a marine that served this country for years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and then
Casavilla-Garcia was ultimately denied bond
The wounded victim remains in the hospital
– With the current mayor of Miami Lakes term-limited
All are business owners; two currently serve on the town council
Local 10 News met with all three to get their take on the top issues voters will consider when casting their ballots
“One of the things I’m most proud of is creating a senior rebate,” Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez
“I supported a 2-percent reduction in the property tax rate.”
“I’m also a lifelong resident of the town,” Dieguez added
“Sidewalks and lighting are very poor in our town here today,” Gonzalez noted
A top issue here continues to be the blasting from nearby rock mining
“It is an issue that we have been working on for several years
I went to Tallahassee twice this past session to lobby on behalf of our residents
I think one of the things that needs to be explored further is maybe the state working with the miners to come up with ways that are less destructive.”
This local issue is complicated by state control of rock mining operations
“Any claims related to rock blasting have to go through a separate legal process known as the Department of Administrative Hearings
I am proud to say that one of my proposals from 2018 that I continue to advocate for is to return jurisdiction for those claims back to the regular circuit court.”
“It is a pressing issue here in town,” Gonzalez said
explaining one of the reasons she decided to run for office
“I plan to develop better alliances with county
and federal levels that will lead us to finding a solution to the problem.”
A spokesperson from the Miami-Dade Limestone Products Association, Inc. had this to say:
“The Lake Belt Region is Florida’s largest source of aggregate—a critical component for virtually every construction project
from roads and bridges to homes and hospitals
Miami-Dade County’s limestone products industry supports over 10,000 jobs and supplies nearly 50 percent of Florida’s aggregate
further exacerbating Florida’s housing affordability challenges
Decades of independent studies at the local
and federal levels confirm that blasting within regulated limits does not harm nearby structures
a 2018 study commissioned by the Florida Legislature described current limits as “overly restrictive” and concluded: “The current blasting vibration limits in Florida continue to be protective of residential structures.”
Gonzalez discussed specific policy ideas: “That includes synchronization of lights and a new caliber of traffic lights.”
“Increasing the amount of options that we have to get on and off the highway
There’s an opportunity to I-75 to create on ramps and off ramps.”
“Try to get more highway access at both the easternmost and westernmost ends.”
All three candidates participated in a recent forum. View the video to learn more about them
Christina returned to Local 10 in 2019 as a reporter after covering Hurricane Dorian for the station
Murrow Award-winning journalist and previously earned an Emmy Award while at WPLG for her investigative consumer protection segment "Call Christina."
TrendingCommercialSouth FloridaABlackstone unloads another South Florida property
sells office building for $21MNew York-based investment giant has shed multifamily and industrial properties in recent months
Blackstone continues to make its South Florida portfolio lighter
selling a Miami Lakes office building for $20.5 million
An affiliate of Blackstone, the New York-based investment giant led by Stephen Schwarzman, and its subsidiary, Link Logistics
sold the 13.3-acre site at 17100 Northwest 59th Avenue to an entity managed by Ali Ahmed
The deal breaks down to $176 a square foot for the single-story
116,486-square-foot building that was completed in 1995
Gramercy Property Trust paid $14.3 million for the site
and 15 years later Blackstone acquired Gramercy for $7.6 billion
Gramercy was rebranded as Link Logistics in 2019
Blackstone and Link Logistics have been on a South Florida selling spree in recent months. In December, Link sold Ironwood Commerce Center, an industrial complex consisting of four warehouses in Opa-locka. Boston-based TA Realty paid $160 million for the 28.3-acre site
All three sales represented the largest industrial deals of 2024
Also in November, Blackstone sold a 349-unit garden-style apartment community in Miramar for $121.3 million to Greensboro
The 17.7-acre complex is made up of 15 three-story apartment buildings and a pair of garages completed in 2012
Meanwhile, Ahmed has augmented his commercial portfolio in Miami Lakes. In October, an entity managed by the car mogul dropped $38.2 million for a warehouse
New York-based investment firm Brookfield Asset Management sold the 13-acre site
Ahmed also owns a North Miami office building that he acquired for $39 million in 2023
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
– Miami-Dade police are investigating after a body was found in a canal behind a business complex in the northwestern part of the county Friday afternoon
Leer en Español
The discovery was made in the canal near the 6000 block of Northwest 167th Street
Authorities described the body as that of an adult but did not provide additional information as of around 1:45 p.m.
including whether officers suspected foul play
Video from Sky 10 shows police putting up crime scene tape near the scene
– A 61-year-old man from Miami Lakes was arrested Monday by Miami-Dade police on accusations that he molested a boy and girl
the alleged criminal acts occurred Saturday at Rolando Gonzalez’s home in the 6900 block of Holly Road
Police said the victims were sitting together on the living room couch when Gonzalez fondled the girl’s buttocks and chest area over her clothing as they were watching TV
he then fondled the boy’s penis over his clothing while cuddling with him
Police said Gonzalez then touched the girl inappropriately once again before both children walked away from the couch
Gonzalez began rubbing his penis over his pants
the crime was captured on a home surveillance camera
Police said Gonzalez denied all allegations against him during questioning
He was arrested on two counts of molestation on a child under 12
Local 10 News is not disclosing the children’s exact ages or relation to Gonzalez in an effort to protect their identities
Gonzalez was being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
The Town of Miami Lakes in Northwest Miami-Dade County on Tuesday is honoring the Florida State Guard for a controversial operation that took place more than 800 miles from Florida’s border
Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid will present a proclamation at 5:30 p.m
to honor the state guard — a state-funded force supported by Gov
Ron DeSantis — for its help in Operation Lone Star
an immigration control mission at the Texas-Mexico border pushed by Texas Gov
“We are incredibly proud of the Florida State Guard and their tireless service during Operation Lone Star,” said Mayor Manny Cid in a statement ahead of the event
“This proclamation is representation [sic] of our deep appreciation for their unwavering dedication and the positive impact they have made.”
READ MORE: 'We needed to leave': One migrant family's harrowing journey from Venezuela to Miami
DeSantis sent hundreds of personnel to Texas in June to take part in Operation Lone Star to assist Texas in its battle with the federal government over undocumented immigrants entering the country. DeSantis was criticized, even by a member of his own party
for spending state taxpayer dollars so far outside of Florida for what was seen as a political stunt
said his decision to honor the Florida State Guard members for their service came out of conversations with his friends who served in the operation
“I wanted to recognize them because three of them in particular I know very well
and they talked about their journey in Texas and all the time they spent out there serving our state and our nation,” Cid told WLRN in an interview on Tuesday
Cid said just one of those state guard members lives in Miami Lakes: Florida State Rep. Tom Fabricio
Fabricio told WLRN that Operation Lone Star was a multi-agency effort
in which the state sent personnel from multiple groups including the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida State Guard to Texas
Cid said he was not aware about the allegations against the Texas National Guard
but denied that guard members from Florida took part in any inhumane conduct based on what he’s heard from his friends involved
He said the Florida State Guard contingent was just responsible for building a fence to secure the border
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said in an email that Florida personnel were there to augment the presence of the Texas Department of Public Safety
and were not responsible for inhumane conduct
"No Florida State Guard or other Florida personnel deployed to Texas were involved with the alleged incident that you described," a division spokesperson told WLRN
Fabricio explained the State Guard's mission was to patrol the fence around the border and to deploy "Concertina " or "C wire," a type of razor wire
A website for the purchase of Concertina wire describes it thusly: "Rigid and sharp blade frightens or hurt [sic] any person or animal that want to go through concertina wire fence."
is human trafficking — something he says he’s seen firsthand in Miami-Dade County
“The saddest part about this immigration issue is it’s turned into a trafficking issue
The real victims here are those migrants that are being trafficked through the border,” he said
“I’ve met many families who have gone through the journey and I think it’s terrible what’s happening to them.”
Immigration and border security has been a hot-button topic in this year's presidential race
President Joe Biden and his administration have been struggling to show voters that it has a handle on immigration and border security
who's made immigration a key election year issue
saying he's responsible for the problems at the border
is currently running for Miami-Dade County Mayor
He said the proclamation has nothing to do with his campaign
He said he would have honored the guard regardless of his bid for the county seat
By Alexandra Mortati | Photos courtesy of Gabby Rodriguez
Growing up in her parents’ pizzeria, Pizza Scene in Miami Lakes
Gabby Rodriguez wasn’t always sure that she’d end up in the business
“I saw myself in pizza because it was something my dad always envisioned,” she says
I grew to love pizza and not just the pizza aspect but the business side
and the potential to turn something like this into an empire.” Rodriguez
“I’ve experienced the really hard moments where I want to throw in the towel and give up
and I’ve experienced those moments where we win together,” she says
“I have shared with our employees that they are my family as well even if they aren’t blood-related
We built this very family-oriented business
These kids—the youngest can be 16 or 17 years old—I see them as my younger brothers or sisters
and something [that’s important] to me is making sure everyone realizes that.” She’s also proud of what her father has created with Pizza Scene
He’s been in the pizza industry since he was 17
and then worked his way up to being a regional manager for Papa John’s….I’ve learned a lot from my dad
I take pride in the success of something my dad started from the beginning
so I have people coming in every day saying
‘I used to come here as a kid.’ It’s a feeling that tickles your heartstrings
I appreciate all the positive feedback I hear from the community about what my dad has built
I love seeing how something so simple like pizza can bring people together.”
Becoming the Pizza BossGrowing up in Pizza Scene meant Rodriguez learned to work every position
“Younger me would say my favorite job was cashier,” she said
‘I don’t want to be making pizza,’ because I saw it as
‘Why am I making this?’ Because when you’re not used to seeing women make pizza
I’m not seeing women in pizza as much as I see men
And you’ll see people look at me like
she’s the one making it.’ Not having that representation made me want to be that representation.”Rodriguez started out as a cashier
“but ended up going wherever I was needed,” she recalled
scrubbing the floor…The hardest thing was learning how to do it from someone like my dad
but he wasn’t like a teacher in that aspect
It’s easy for him because he’s always done it
but he wouldn’t know how to explain it to me.”For Rodriguez
She has brought her love of teaching into the family pizza business
“One of the employees we have here is now 19 but started at 17,” she said
I was able to show him what I’ve learned over the years.”
Leaving (and Returning to) the Family BusinessDuring the pandemic of 2020
Rodriguez decided to find out if education really was the career for her and took a new job in Orlando
“I wanted to try something new since I’d been doing [pizza] my whole life
and I was the happiest I’ve ever been,” she said
“I came back because my parents were struggling a lot
I had always told them I’d come back to help if they needed it
Coming back gave me a different outlook—I found a new love for it.”In the end
that short-lived job “was actually the one thing that helped me realize 100% that pizza is something I want to do,” she recalled.Rodriguez’s advice for others may at first sound unconventional
“Sometimes you have to leave something behind to realize it’s what you want,” she noted
“The grass is not always greener on the other side
I had the comfort of knowing it was something I could always go back to
Leaving that door open gave me the courage to come back
and it felt like I had never left.”‘[Pizza] Brings Me Back to Little Me’Pizza Scene specializes in New York pies
but Rodriguez and her family like to try other styles
“It’s funny because we just put them on our menu
but me and my siblings were not on board with it
and he didn’t want to be the only one doing it
but now we finally have it down pat.“Everyone has to be on the same page when it comes to stuff like that
Now all of us are constantly trying to think of different concoctions to put on our Sicilian
We just made a burger pizza that tastes like a burger
where we get the customers’ feedback to see what works and what doesn’t
We’re constantly doing new pizzas and constantly eating over here!” Rodriguez said she could never get sick of pizza
“It’s something I’ve been around my whole life
The nostalgia of it—I remember when my dad was working and I’d visit him at work
One of my fond memories is sitting down in our restaurant with my dad
it brings me back to little me.” But her perspective has shifted as she has matured
Everyone knew that if you came to my house
I was a little embarrassed [about] having a pizza business because everyone knew about it
and I didn’t like the attention that came with it
Now I’m proud of it.” Rodriguez would like to run Pizza Scene one day
“I see myself taking over completely when my dad is willing to let go of the reins,” she said
“He’s the type he is because he loves the business
but I don’t think I can ever see my dad fully retiring
I think she is doing what I did—taking a step away to realize
this is what I want to do.’ I think my vision is still to one day run this with my sister
We could be the front-of-house and face of everything
and my brother is like my dad; he could run the back end.”“My sister and I work very well together—it’s very effortless,” she went on
we have that same respect for one another and include each other
Me and my sister were never at the point we’re at now; before
but I think growing up and each of us realizing at the end of the day we are adults and our own people really helped us at work and in our personal lives.” Gabby Rodriguez is dedicated and resilient
with aspirations to build Pizza Scene into an empire
She values teamwork and considers employees part of her extended family
taking inspiration from her father and aims to represent women and show them that they
She’s enthusiastic and embraces innovation and family legacy
grab a slice and talk about all things perspective
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By Ladra on November 7, 20243 Comments
a plantidate in the Miami Lakes mayoral race has forced a runoff between Commissioner Josh Dieguez and Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez
who came out of Tuesday’s first round with 47% and 42%
a political newbie who had donated to Dieguez before jumping in the race — not a good sign for a candidate — got 11%
We can expect Gonzalez to endorse Dieguez any day now
There were only 731 votes difference between Dieguez and Fernandez in Tuesday’s results
They are vying to replace Manny Cid, who is termed out and lost a bid for county mayor in August, coming in second behind Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The local Miami Laker reported that Cid, a teacher who also is co-owner of a town diner, has applied to be deputy town administrator at the Town of Southwest Ranches
Some casual observers might think that Dieguez
who interrupted his second term to run for mayor
26 election will have a much smaller turnout than the presidential election this week
where people came out to vote for Donald Trump or for Kamala Harris and against legal marijuana or abortion restrictions
None of that will be on the ballot for Round 2
The voters who come out in the Miami Lakes runoff will be the more locally engaged voters
the ones that are more privy to the real political comings and goings
the quiet vote to reward a former corrupt mayor
There won’t be any of the voters who probably just bubbled in the first name on the local race
Read related: Bryan Morera wins special election in Miami Lakes, creating new majority
These voters know that Dieguez is the one who quietly pushed to have the city pay $1.7 million to former Mayor Michael Pizzi for the legal fees during the defense of his federal bribery trial
Dieguez made sure the swing vote for the settlement was elected when he backed Bryan Morera for a council seat in a special election in April
It’s like he orchestrated the deal by creating a new majority
Pizzi was caught in 2013 conspiring with FBI agents posing as grant facilitators willing to steal U.S
Maroño pled guilty and was sentenced to three and a half years
who took a $3,000 cash payment from a lobbyist in the closet of his office and another envelope in the bathroom of a pool hall
was acquitted in 2014 after his legal dream team of eight of the county’s most prominent attorneys was able to sell the jury on the slightest shadow of a doubt
Pizzi sued to regain the seat he was suspended from after his arrest and won
He then turned around and sued the town for his legal fees in both the civil and criminal cases
Read related: Miami Lakes votes to pay former Mayor Michael Pizzi $1.7 million for legal fees
Cid got a lot of heat for that in the August election for county mayor
they’ll remind voters that Dieguez pushed for the settlement offer
He claims his vast experience as an attorney — he’s a parter at papi’s tiny law firm — gave him a better grasp of the town’s potential liabilities
Fernandez believed that the town could prevail in court and voted against the settlement
Only one of the council seats was on the ballot after Council Members Juan Carlos “JC” Fernandez
a road and bridge supervisor for the Florida Department of Transportation
chief operating officer at an auto parts store
nearly 1,000 fewer voters who chose a mayoral candidate weighed in on that race
a businessman who is in the middle of his term
He and whoever is elected mayor will be sworn in Dec
10 at Miami Lakes Town Hall and have their first meeting in January
Josh Dieguez, Miami Lakes politics, Tony Fernandez
Miami Lakes plantidate forces mayoral runoff: Josh Dieguez vs Tony Fernandez added by Ladra on November 7, 2024View all posts by Ladra →
By Ladra on October 21, 20244 Comments
rambling text message about the village mayoral election — but not from one of the candidates
It was from former Mayor Michael “Muscles” Pizzi
who recently got a $1.7 million settlement from the city for his defense costs in a federal bribery trial
Vice Mayor Antonio “Tony” Fernandez
who is running to replace termed-out Mayor Manny Cid
And Pizzi is trying to make that seem like a bad decision
“I have not gotten involved in Miami Lakes politics for many years because I think it is beneath former mayors to tell people who to vote for,” started the “message from Mayor Michael A
Editor’s note: This was in an email he sent to a voter in the town named Hope (Spanish for Esperanza) and she told Ladra that she copied it and sent it out to her friends
it got redistributed enough so that it turned up in someone’s text messages and forwarded to Ladra
Read Related: Miami Lakes votes to pay former Mayor Michael Pizzi $1.7 million for legal fees
“I cannot imagine how anyone with any intelligence would vote for Tony Fernandez,” Pizzi continued
“He is a demagogue of the worst kind who panders to people because he thinks that they are stupid
“Tony Fernandez just says whatever he thinks will get him votes
even if it is irresponsible,” Pizzi said
about the vice mayor’s vote to deny the former mayor a taxpayer-funded settlement for the legal fees Pizzi incurred defending himself against federal bribery and extortion charges after he was caught in a 2013 sting conspiring to approve a bogus grant scheme in exchange for cash and campaign contributions
This is the same guy who was recorded on undercover conversations talking about kickbacks for his help greasing the wheels of grants that were obviously bogus and never intended to really go to the city
The same guy who told a lobbyist/bagman to step into a closet before handing him $3,000
The same guy who grabbed a bag with two cigars and an envelope stuffed with $2,000 that had been set for him on a bar table at a local pool hall by two undercover FBI agents
Read related: Chatty Michael Pizzi claims innocence, blames Michael Kesti
And now he wants to tell Village residents how to vote
Pizzi says the town of Miami Lakes “wasted millions of dollars on my reimbursement case because they put political slogans ahead of sound judgement
The argument is based on the assumption that Pizzi would have won the case — a lawsuit to get the town to pay the attorney’sl fees for his eight-member legal dream team — which is why the majority of the council approved the settlement in June
“Tony Gonzalez actually voted to spend over five million dollars in a certain judgment and more litigation and to drag this out at taxpayer expense anther ten years,” Pizzi writes in his message
“How could anyone with half a brain vote someone like Fernandez who has such poor judgement that he would bankrupt the town?”
Fernandez has two opponents in the mayoral race
but many observers believe Yuniett Gonzalez is a plantidate
put there to force a runoff with Councilman Josh Dieguez (more on that later)
So this text message has to be sent on behalf of Dieguez
who apparently started his political career with Pizzi and voted in favor of the settlement
at the end of a seven-hour budget meeting where it was not on the agenda and
nobody in the public could speak for or against it
How could anyone with half a brain vote for anybody supported by Michael Pizzi
who lost his last election to Cid and is almost a bad word in Miami Lakes
Fernandez’s judgement is not the one in question
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TrendingCommercialSouth FloridaAAres cements top ranking for pricey purchases in South Florida
paying $147M for Miami Lakes industrial complexLos Angeles-based firm has now made the biggest multifamily and warehouse deals of 2024 to date
A photo illustration of Ares Management’s Michael Arougheti along with Miami Midway Park at 9675 Northwest 174th Street (Getty
Ares Management paid $147 million for a recently completed Miami Lakes warehouse complex, notching the biggest industrial purchase so far this year. It’s also the third time in less than a year that Los Angeles-based Ares dropped nine figures for a South Florida commercial property
An affiliate of the private equity firm acquired Midway Miami Park
a collection of four new industrial buildings at 9675 Northwest 174th Street in Miami Lakes
A CBRE team led by Jose Lóbon and Frank Fallon brokered the sale
The seller, an affiliate of Coconut Creek-based Butters Construction & Management and Charleston-based Greystar, paid $32.1 million for the 32-acre site in 2021
The joint venture broke ground on the 505,518-square-foot industrial park a year later and completed the four warehouses this summer
SIGN UPThe complex is 52 percent leased to three tenants
Butters Realty & Management and Street State Realty are handling leasing
Ares, led by CEO Michael Arougheti, is among the most active institutional investors in South Florida. In May, the firm completed the largest multifamily family deal of 2024 to date, paying $139.7 million for a 284-unit apartment building in Boca Raton
an eight-story project at 5205 Congress Avenue
from Fort Lauderdale-based Mainstreet Capital Partners
In late December, Ares bought a development site at Countyline Corporate Park in Hialeah for $111.1 million
The company is planning to develop a three-building industrial complex
With a market capitalization of $45.1 billion, Ares has roughly $428 billion in assets under management, including its commercial real estate portfolio, according to the firm’s website. Ares is also an investor in Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami CF and Miami Freedom Park
a mixed-use project anchored by a soccer stadium planned on a former golf course owned by the city of Miami
Ares’ partners are Miami billionaire Jorge Mas
his brother Jose Mas and retired international futbol star David Beckham
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced on Jan
15 the arrest of a Miami Lakes who allegedly poached an alligator in Collier County
was charged with four misdemeanors and one felony for violations of Florida law related to the illegal harvest of an alligator
a tip through the Wildlife Alert Hotline from an individual who witnessed a person take an alligator from Loop Road in Monroe County
The witness watched Quinn dump the alligator’s carcass and leave the area while still in possession of the tail
the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Miami Springs police officers partnered in a multi-county effort to locate Quinn and his vehicle
where he admitted to illegally taking the alligator
The poached tail was being processed in Quinn’s backyard and was seized as evidence
Taking an alligator outside of the designated hunting season and without the proper permits is illegal
For more information regarding alligator harvest
The FWC takes wildlife violations very seriously and encourages the public to report any potential violations by downloading the FWC Wildlife Alert app, texting 847411 (Tip411) with keyword “FWC” and information about the violation, calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922), or submitting a tip online at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert[app.myfwc.com]
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TrendingCommercialSouth FloridaAAuto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed jump into South Florida’s industrial market
buying Miami Lakes warehouse for $38MBrookfield sold industrial facility for $16M above its purchase price in 2020
Auto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed are revved up for South Florida’s industrial market
dropping $38.2 million for a Miami Lakes warehouse
An entity managed by the Miami Lakes-based car moguls acquired a 190,707-square-foot industrial facility at 14100 Northwest 60th Avenue
the two-story building sold for $16 million above its previous sale price four years ago
A Newmark team led by Steve Medwin and Nick Wigoda brokered the off-market deal, a press release states. The seller, an affiliate of New York-based investment firm Brookfield Asset Management
paid $22.1 million for the 13-acre site in 2020
Property tenants include Taggart International and Amerifleet Transportation
A portion of the site can be used for parking or a warehouse expansion
SIGN UPThe Ahmeds own Miami Lakes Automall and other dealerships in Florida. Last year, Ali Ahmed dropped $39 million for Biscayne Centre
an eight-story office building in North Miami
Brookfield, led by CEO Bruce Flatt, is actively wheeling and dealing in South Florida. In late June, the firm paid $107.5 million for Turtle Cove
a 444-unit apartment complex near West Palm Beach
The purchase was part of a $1.6 billion deal to acquire 23 multifamily projects with 7,300 apartments from billionaire Barry Sternlicht’s Miami Beach-based Starwood Capital Group
In January, Brookfield sold its majority stake in Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, a 291-key hotel in Key Biscayne, in a deal valued at more than $400 million
Miami-based hospitality real estate firm Gencom
And last year, Brookfield sold the Diplomat Beach Resort, a 1,000-room hotel in Hollywood, to Honolulu-based Trinity Investments and Credit Suisse. The joint venture paid $850 million for the resort
Brookfield has $268 billion and more than 500 million square feet in real estate assets under management
TrendingDevelopmentSouth FloridaAGraham family plans 220-unit multifamily complex in Miami Lakes
amid record South Florida rentals pipelineSite previously was slated for an assisted living facility
A photo illustration of Graham Companies CEO Stuart S
Wyllie along with a rendering of the proposed Lakeside complex in Miami Lakes (Getty
the family owned developer of Miami Lakes and its biggest property owner
proposes a 220-unit multifamily complex in the town
Graham wants to build the Lakeside project with four four-story buildings on a 9.5-acre vacant site at 14610
according to the Miami Lakes Town Council meeting agenda
The application comes as South Florida is experiencing a surge in multifamily project proposals
Miami Lakes Town Council deferred voting on the project’s site plan to a future unscheduled meeting
The town’s planning administrators recommended approval of the project if Graham meets a slew of conditions
including obtaining construction permits within a year after project approval
Graham has to either donate 1.5 acres of land to the town for a park or pay a “large park” concurrency fee
The site is within a larger Graham-owned tract that the firm had rezoned in 2017 for the development of an assisted living facility
a skilled nursing center and a 62-and-older residential complex
The recently proposed rental complex won’t be age restricted
SIGN UPGraham Companies traces its roots to milk, bottling and distribution company Graham Dairy, started in 1932 by the late Ernest R. Graham. Since then, Graham’s descendants have expanded the company into real estate, including the development of the 3,000-acre master-planned Miami Lakes
Graham family members include the late Phil Graham
who was publisher and co-owner of The Washington Post
Graham Companies’ portfolio includes over 2,200 apartments across 10 complexes in Miami Lakes
and more than 4.6 million square feet of industrial
The multifamily market’s new supply is coming as demand from out-of-state residents has dried up. Landlords are offering concessions such as a month or two of free rent to attract tenants at recently finished projects, and rents have plateaued or decreased in some submarkets
Developers still are pursuing project approvals
though some plan to hold off on starting construction until the new supply is absorbed and interest rates come down
Realtor Juan Carlos “J.C.” Fernandez and lawyer Steven Herzberg will soon join the five-member Miami Lakes Town Council after no one filed to run against them
Fernandez will succeed accountant Marilyn Ruano in Seat 3
which clinical social worker Luis Collazo has held since 2016
Both won four-year terms by default at the end of the town’s election qualifying period at noon Wednesday
Fernandez, who serves on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board and previously sat on its Neighborhood Improvement Committee
said he’s excited to continue working on improving Miami Lakes
He said he’ll focus on addressing right-of-way issues and enhancing aesthetic aspects of the nearly 24-year-old municipality
I think it’ll end here at the Council,” he told Florida Politics
and I’m looking forward to this chapter and to see if we can move Miami Lakes forward.”
Herzberg said his campaign focused on transparency
effective government and fiscal conservatism
Tom Fabricio in February for a House Regulatory Reform Subcommittee workshop on the issue
Stronger strides toward that end appear likely. Miami Lakes Council members Bryan Morera, who was elected April 30
and Ray García are also former Blasting Advisory Board members
“One of my biggest goals for the next four years is to get residents more involved
I want to make Town Hall a more inviting place,” Herzberg told Florida Politics
“People say that if the Town Hall is empty
Their involvement helps us make better decisions
and everyone on the Town Council now is doing it for the right reasons
We want to make Miami Lakes a better place.”
Through the end of June, Fernandez reported raising $7,150 and spending $3,400, while Herzberg raised $20,675 and spent $3,306, Miami Lakes records show
Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid congratulated Fernandez and Herzberg for their victories in a Wednesday statement on X
“Our residents are very fortunate to have two ethical individuals of high character as Council members,” he said
“The future of our community is in good hands!”
faces auto parts company executive Mario Pinera Jr
in a race to succeed Vice Mayor and Seat 1 Council member Tony Fernandez
He has three opponents: Council member Josh Dieguez
musician Derek Cintron and financial consulting executive Yuniett Gonzalez
Cid is leaving office to run for Miami-Dade County Mayor
Town voters will elect a new Mayor and Seat 1 Council member Nov
The newly formed Council will decide whether to appoint someone to replace Dieguez in Seat 4 or hold a Special Election so voters can choose his successor
Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner
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The community of Miami Lakes and Hialeah gathered on a recent evening to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th birthday of David Elefant, a beloved local resident and Holocaust survivor. Full Story, Photos, Video
The community of Miami Lakes and Hialeah gathered on a recent evening to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 100th birthday of David Elefant
a beloved local resident and Holocaust survivor
the occasion was filled with love and gratitude
David’s journey began in December 1924 in the small Romanian village of Ciumarna
He grew up in a large family with four sisters and three brothers
This talent would ultimately play a crucial role in his survival during the darkest days of the Holocaust
Forced to construct beds for the Auschwitz Death Camp and later create fake military aircraft for the Germans
David’s skills kept him alive while his family suffered unimaginable losses
His parents and several siblings perished in Auschwitz
David was liberated and returned to Romania
they built a life and welcomed two daughters
Their marriage lasted 60 beautiful years until Ileana passed away in 2019
The celebration of David’s 100th birthday was marked by heartfelt tributes
including a letter from Senator Marco Rubio and an American flag flown over the Capitol in honor of his milestone
A congressional letter recognizing Holocaust survivors over 100 was also read aloud
led by shluchim Rabbi Mendy and Tzippy Weiss
presented David with the ‘Am Yisrael Chai award’
David had the joy of holding his Rabbi’s newest granddaughter
This tender interaction served as a powerful testament to the beauty and continuity of life—a reminder of hope and new beginnings
The atmosphere was both emotional and joyful
David finds it difficult to speak of his past; when he does
he shares blessings for health and happiness
David was lifted in a chair as the community sang “Happy Birthday,” counting the decades of his extraordinary life
‘This celebration was unlike any other at Chabad—beyond the brisses
there was something truly magical about honoring a man who has endured so much
a living testament to the spirit of Am Yisrael Chai,” said Tzippy Weiss
the love and respect for David filled the room
a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable hardship
the strength of the human spirit can shine brightly
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Here is the list of locations for early voting and vote-by-mail drop boxes that open every day from 7 a.m
Search this database online to look up voter information
When is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot
The deadline in Florida is Oct. 24, 2024. Ballots requested for delivery within 10 days of the election additionally require a special emergency affidavit. Here is the Statewide Vote-by-Mail Request Form
What is the deadline to return a vote-by-mail ballot
The Supervisor of Elections in the county of residence. Search this database to find the supervisor in your area.
an iconic restaurant in Miami Lakes is welcoming customers once again
located at 15342 NW 79th Ct in Miami Lakes
It’s a staple in the community and isn’t just a place for eating
It really is a community coming together in one place,” said owner Reny Gonzalez
But that legacy was almost shuttered for good
phone call because his restaurant was on fire
That fire started in the kitchen after the fire suppression system didn’t function properly
The restaurant was destroyed and forced to shut its doors
It was an uphill battle to get the restaurant back up and running
This place was too important to the community
the restaurant is now back and it’s better than ever
The interior has been modernized and updated
Customers can still watch “un lunchero” make the famous Cuban sandwich with precision and speed
Customers will also be able to enjoy all the Cuban favorites
“We moved away from here about two years ago and we come to visit my mother-in-law
So I’m happy we got to eat here one more time before we fly back,” said loyal customer Alexandra Cuevas
The Miami Lakes location is the original location and there is another one in Pembroke Pines at 12638 Pines Blvd
Jenise Fernandez joined the Local 10 News team in November 2014
She is thrilled to be back home reporting for the station she grew up watching
who is from Miami and graduated from Florida International University
also interned at Local 10 while she was in college
TrendingCommercialSouth FloridaAGraham adds to portfolio
pays $69M for 448-unit Miami Lakes apartment complexIt already owned the land underneath the units and now purchased the buildings
A photo illustration of Graham Companies CEO Stuart Wyllie along with the Courtyards at Miami Lakes apartment complex at 6431 Cow Pen Road in Miami Lakes (Getty
led by the family that developed Miami Lakes
expanded its empire with a $69 million purchase of a 448-unit apartment complex
The firm bought the ground lease for the Courtyards at Miami Lakes at 6431 Cow Pen Road from Village Oaks Associates
according to records and real estate database Vizzda
Graham owned the 19.5 acres of land on which the complex was developed in 1974
and it signed a ground lease for the buildings with Village Oaks in the 1970s
Graham also assumed the seller’s Fannie Mae loan with a balance of $40.7 million
Village Oaks had originally taken out the $43 million loan from Santander Bank in 2021
Courtyards at Miami Lakes consists of 22 one-story and two-story apartment buildings
SIGN UPThe Graham family started their Miami-Dade County ventures in the early 20th century when the late Ernest R
His descendants expanded the company into real estate and developed the 3,000-acre master-planned Miami Lakes
Last month, the firm proposed the 220-unit Lakeside apartment project with four four-story buildings on a 9.5-acre vacant site at 14610
South Florida multifamily sales have somewhat thinned this year compared with the bonanza of the past four years. Previously, an influx of out-of-state residents and record rent growth created an investment frenzy. But elevated interest rates and skyrocketing insurance, as well as slimmer demand and rent growth
Among this year’s deals, Integra Investments picked up the 317-unit Monaco Isles at 800 The Pointe Drive in West Palm Beach for $55.5 million, and Dermot Company paid $144.2 million for 350-unit The Quaye at Wellington at 1090 Quaye Lake Circle in Wellington
Also, Kushner Companies is under a $190 million contract for the 28-story
276-unit Hamilton apartment building at 555 Northeast 34th Street in Miami’s Edgewater
Seller Aimco renovated and leased up the tower last year
After the kitchen fire closes the restaurant for two years
Latin American Grill, a mainstay in Miami Lakes for nearly three decades, is set to reopen after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by a kitchen fire
located at 15342 NW 79th Court in the Park Centre Shops
underwent a $1.4 million renovation during the closure
“I thought this day would never come,” said owner and founder Reny Gonzalez
“We have missed our customers and they have missed us
and I am overjoyed that we are finally back in business.”
a fire broke out in the kitchen after hours
but a malfunction in the fire suppression system led to extensive damage
provided Gonzalez with an opportunity to remodel and modernize the restaurant
light-colored subway tiles contrasted with decorative patterned tiles
distressed wood trim throughout the dining room
An updated sandwich station encased in glass allows guests to watch their sandwiches made by “luncheros.” The addition of new double windows at the “ventanita” will streamline Cuban coffee and to-go orders
The restaurant also boasts outdoor seating on a patio lit by modern European lighting and framed by new planters
“Very little could be saved so we ended up designing a whole new restaurant from scratch
“This will be our prototype for all new locations going forward.”
is known for its extensive menu featuring Cuban staples such as sandwiches
Pechuga de Pollo (boneless chicken breast)
reps confirm that the prices have remained relatively unchanged since its closure
Latin American Grill is now open from 7 a.m
– A man and woman are accused of running at least three illegal post-operative cosmetic surgery recovery facilities in locations across Miami-Dade County
patients who complained about the care they received were subject to intimidation tactics and “disturbing behavior.”
the proprietors of Tatiana’s Resort & Spa
were moving patients around after their unlicensed facilities got busted
They are now facing several felony and misdemeanor charges following their arrests on Thursday
officers first executed a search warrant at a home at 15505 SW 12th Terrace in the county’s unincorporated Tamiami area on Aug
with another three currently in appointments or at surgery
Arrest reports state that Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez converted the four-bedroom home into a six-bedroom illegal recovery facility that could accommodate up to 17 patients and converted a closet into a massage room
Police said they found massage and medical supplies throughout the residence
which was leased in the name of Ramirez and his mother
They were also illegally dumping medical waste
A patient told police that her boyfriend paid $1,600 for her to spend six nights at the home while recovering from surgery
Authorities said the employee told officers that she was being paid $10 per hour — below Florida’s minimum wage — to care for patients and was subleasing a room from Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez
That employee identified Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez as her employer; neither was present and police said the following day
Giraldo-Torres reneged on an offer to meet with detectives
in northeast Miami-Dade’s unincorporated Golden Glades area
called police to report “unprofessional behavior.”
including one who they had spoken to at the Tamiami home
Arrest reports state that they told investigators that they experienced “disturbing behavior” at the Spur Drive home
they observed numerous suspicious vehicles driving by the residence and watching them through the front windows,” the report states
“One of the patients recorded two unknown individuals sitting in a car waving at them and showing her that they were also recording the patients
All of the patients left the residence and decided to stay at a hotel room because they did not feel safe.”
the patients told police that they had found the business on Instagram and that Giraldo-Torres told them that she “ran a licensed facility.”
Tatiana’s Resort & Spa charged $300 per night for lodging and care
Authorities said when they knocked on the door of an apartment at 8450 NW 102nd Ave
in Doral in an attempt to locate Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez
donning “a robe with drain(age) tubes hanging down the sides,” answered instead
a female in a robe and a bandaged face approached the front door,” police wrote
It was obvious that the female in the robe recently had surgery and that the other female assisting her was an employee.”
One of the patients told investigators she came to South Florida on Aug
for a four-night stay at the recovery home
she was sent to two vacant or non-existent addresses and was finally sent to a condominium on Miami Beach where she was later picked up by a driver hired by (Giraldo-Torres),” police wrote in an arrest report
“The driver took her to her surgical appointment and when he picked her up after her surgery
she was transported to (the Doral apartment).”
Local 10 News emailed and left a voicemail for Miami Lakes Plastic Surgery Thursday afternoon seeking comment on the facility’s alleged relationship with Giraldo-Torres
Others said they found out about the home through social media
Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez also paid the Doral employee $10 per hour to provide care
Police wrote in the reports that she told officers she worked “eight days (per) week.” The report doesn’t state whether that was meant as a figure of speech
telling them that she came back to the Doral apartment from a post-op appointment “and staff from the apartment complex had to let her in to retrieve her belongings,” according to the reports
“The patient called (Giraldo-Torres) and left a message advising that she wanted her money returned to her,” police wrote
“The patient received a return call from a male from an unknown number
The unknown male advised the patient that he would return some of her money if she sent (a Miami-Dade detective) an email retracting her previous statement and that she vacated the premises because she needed advanced care following her surgery.”
Police concluded that Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez operated an ongoing “scheme to defraud multiple patients” after they found out the homes were unlicensed assisted living facilities
“Rather than refunding previously booked clients their monies
they continued to operate unlicensed ALFs at other locations,” an investigator wrote in the reports
when the patients voiced their concerns about the treatment that they were receiving
the defendant and co-defendant attempted to intimidate them from calling the police
or they were asked to retract any previous statements they had provided to the police.”
Giraldo-Torres and Ramirez are each facing three counts of operating an ALF without a license and individual counts of organized scheme to defraud
felony littering and a felony hazardous waste charge
They are also facing misdemeanor counts of nuisances injurious to health and failing to track biomedical waste
Both were held on a bond of more than $13,000 as of Thursday afternoon
HIALEAH, Fla. – Fans of the legendary Beverly Hills Café in Miami Lakes will soon have a new restaurant to visit in Hialeah, with many dishes that may remind them of the former restaurant on the new menu.
According to a post over the weekend on social media, Hills Cafe will be coming soon at location at 7380 W 20 Ave. in Hialeah.
The new restaurant, said to be run by Hillary Fayth, who worked at the Beverly Hills Café for 21 years, has been in the works since March of 2023.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hill’s Cafe (@hillscafe_miami)
The Beverly Hills Café shut its doors in July 2022
Diners saw a note on the door when they arrived at the restaurant this week
“The team at the Beverly Hills Café is sad to inform you that we are permanently closed
we want to express our deepest gratitude to our amazing customers and staff for supporting us through the years.”
Regulars know that The Beverly Hills Café had the very best salads and sweet home-made dinner rolls
The Beverly Hills Café had 10 different locations
Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website
she graduated from the University of Miami
where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish
Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hill’s Cafe (@hillscafe_miami)