Coconut Grove Headquarters for Trendy Pros

In many ways, charming Coconut Grove exemplifies South Florida’s young and carefree life style.

The Grove, as it has been called for most of this century, is considered the headquarters for Miami’s young, upscale and trendy professionals.

The area, about 10 minutes by car south of downtown Miami alongside Biscayne Bay, abounds in fashionable shops and entertainment spots.

This village-like community, now known for its somewhat artsy and freewheeling atmosphere, also has a proud history. The area was known as the Little Hunting Grounds by the Indians who camped here before white settlers arrived during the 1840s.

That preceded the development of Miami. A settler named Colee planted coconut palms along the shore and an 1845 map designates the spot “Old Cocoanut Grove.”

The trees were distinctive landmarks because they are not indigenous to South Florida.

A Cheerful Backdrop

Palm trees are still very much a part of the Grove’s atmosphere. By night they form a cheerfully lit backdrop to popular nightclubs, restaurants and bistros. During the day they shade strollers who enjoy browsing among the cluster of shops.

The stores occupy single-story, pastel buildings along several narrow, uncrowded streets. There are also delightful outdoor cafes with palm- or umbrella-shaded tables, ideal for a break from a shopping stroll.

The most interesting shops are on Fuller Street and Commodore Plaza.

A stroll can begin on Fuller Street at the Pink Palm (No. 3015), a good source of souvenirs, including a selection of pink flamingo earrings ($11) and T-shirts ($13 for adult sizes, $11 for kids). Other colorful T-shirts and casual cotton tops have matching shorts ($14 to $22).

Relief From the Sun

The Grove Bookworm (3025 Fuller St.), the center of Coconut Grove’s intellectual life, has a cool atmosphere and relief from the hot Florida sun.

The shop has a complete list of current titles and a huge collection of books on art, photography, dance, theater and local history. Some of the secondhand art books have irresistibly low prices.

Lemonade (No. 3055) offers a cheerful collection of casual clothes, including stretchy cotton separates that wear well in warm climates and wash well for easy travel. Pastel tops and trousers sell for about $20 each.

Complement new togs with new shoes from Shoe Alley (No. 3065), with its fabulous and reasonably priced Italian loafers and moccasins ($45 and up) in the standard black/beige/tan, plus pastel colors. Best of all are the shop’s sandals ($50 to $80), a wide variety of attractive, lightweight and multicolored summer shoes.

A Real Find

Complot (No. 3092a) is a real find for women who like to dress differently. This is the only American outlet for Julia Holgado, a Spanish designer living and working in Costa Rica. The styles combine traditional Spanish influences with the latest in fads.

For example, stunning bolero jackets ($65) are worn with marvelously detailed baggy pants ($65). The fun-tier skirts ($50), with flounces in flamingo pink and other bright colors, are suitable for flamenco or disco dancing.

You find complete costumes at Complot, with Holgado’s stylish straw and felt hats ($20 to $30) and footwear, including snakeskin boots ($180) and sandals ($38).

Varanda (No. 3094) is a boutique specializing in Brazilian fashion imports. Silk and leather rule the racks in this shop. There are modish leather mini outfits ($200 and up) in red or black, lacy silk blouses ($45 and up) and loosely flowing ensembles ($100 and up).

Jogging Attire

Take Shape (No. 3098) supplies Coconut Grove’s fitness-conscious population with a stylish variety of jogging and dance attire with Capezio, Gilda Marx and other top labels at regular retail rates. The shop stocks everything from tennis shoes to tutus, with a selection for toddlers and teens.

Commodore Plaza has a shopping arcade (No. 3112) with several intriguing shops. Nostalgia by Anna is a lacy bower of mostly white antique clothing. The pristine petticoats ($40 and up), camisoles ($25 and up) and nighties ($60 and up) that hang prettily from the rafters can be worn as attractive day attire.

Nostalgia’s walls are covered with Victorian dresses ($200 and up), silky scarfs ($30 and up) and satin or lace gloves that are works of fashion art from the past.

Also in the arcade is Coco, ad the opposite end of the style spectrum with super-hip fashions from French, English and Italian designers. This expensive little outlet has the latest spandex tank top for $106 and a stone-washed denim mini-dress with jacket for $330. The bathing suit collection offers an abundant selection of skimpy suits for about $150.

Furniture and Accessories

Ted Stahl (No. 3120) is an interior decorator with a large, homelike showroom of furniture and home accessories. The collection offers a great selection of affordable gift items to suit all environments. Serving trays made of enameled papier-mache are decorated like sectioned limes, oranges or lemons; they come with matching coasters ($20 a set).

Reproductions of the original Morse telegraph ($200) are fun for history buffs, and glass paperweights ($12) with pretty colors would add a bright note to any desk top.

The Pampered Chef (No. 3145) also has lovely accessories for the home. In addition to a wide selection of top-quality pots and pans, whisks, gadgets and whale-size potholders, the shop has packaged room fresheners, including Claire Burke’s handy room scenter gift pack ($12).

The gift pack includes a small bottle of essential oils to be poured into a brass ring that sits on top of a light bulb and exudes sweet and spicy scents. The shop also carries a selection of exotic spices.

A Little of Everything

This and That (No. 3155) is an unpretentious and delightful thrift shop with a little of everything. There are racks of men’s suits ($80 and up) and women’s dresses ($45 and up) of varying vintages and styles, plus antique ties and jewelry.

Shelves are crammed with an assortment of crystal ($5 and up), china ($4 and up), copper pots ($10 and up) and other odds and ends, including Clairol hair products (50 cents) and lamp shades (useful, perhaps, if the hair dye doesn’t do what is expected). This and That is a place to find a bit of vintage Miami for a song.

The Crystal Gallery (No. 3197) has crystal tableware, vases and objets d’art bearing top labels, including Kosta Boda and Orrefors, at reasonable prices. A large cut-crystal bowl made in Ireland costs $45. Handblown glass candleholders with silver design accents are $65 to $85 a pair.

Beautiful handblown glass liquid candles ($60 to $85 each), with cotton wicks that burn lamp oil, are pear-shaped and have opalescent surfaces of symmetrical swirls.

Crystal and Roses

The gallery also has crystals to wear ($20 and up) and antique jewelry, including a marvelous necklace with carved rose quartz beads ($125). Delicate porcelain roses and other pink and lavender flowers are on stick pins or earrings and cost $10.

For shoppers who prefer the comfort of a modern mall, try the pleasant Mayfair in the Grove with its prettily tiled walls.

This collection of more than 100 shops includes a large, well-stocked branch of Burdine’s, Florida’s stylish department store, and top-label specialty shops such as Charles Jourdan, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Pierre Balmain and others. Mayfair in the Grove, 3390 Mary St., is within walking distance of Fuller Street and Commodore Plaza.