The Perfect Present

Two Miami Shores residents who love their community are determined to help local businesses thrive through a new program called Shop the Shores.

Miami Shores is primarily known as a desirable residential neighborhood. Its bustling downtown area, Village Place, extends along NE 2nd Avenue from 95th to 100th streets and is peppered with artsy boutiques and lifestyle-related businesses, all independently owned and many of them woman-owned and operated. The selection of local boutiques and specialty stores contribute to its quaint, laid-back community-oriented atmosphere make it comparable to a smaller scale Coconut Grove or Coral Gables of yesteryear. With recent improvements to the streetscape, and plenty of shop-front parking, The Village is developing into a local destination for shopping.

THE GIFT OF SHOPPING LOCAL

(Kate Bauman)

Kate Baumwell and Geetha Poovendran, the founders of Shop the Shores.

Geetha Poovendran, owner of a medical practice, and Kate Baumwell, a photographer, are friends and neighbors who share a passion for supporting the local scene. This dynamic duo has become friends with many of the area business owners, so they brainstormed a campaign to contribute toward supporting the local businesses.

“Kate and I work together, and right before the winter holidays, I had told my husband, ‘I only want you to shop local because if we don’t do that, these businesses won’t stay around.’”

Baumwell was on the same page.

“Yes, wouldn’t it be so great if we had some sort of wish list where we could go into any local Miami Shores store and write down all the things that we want?” she said.

“So then I can go tell my husband, ‘Hey shop for me at Flight Wine Lounge, Earthy Chic, and Rustic French Home’ and he just goes into a store, asks for my list of the things I’ve registered for,” said Poovendran. “That way, I’m happy that I got what I wanted and it’s still a surprise because I don’t know what he picked.”

Essentially, they launched a local gift registry program for the independent shop owners. And so began Shop the Shores.

“When we started, it was a simple and old-school effort where we got little signs and posters for Shores stores to hang up in their window, and we got little wish list boxes and index cards so anyone – not just locals – could come in and write their name on the index card and write the items that they were looking for and then tell their loved ones and family members what shops they were registered at, when it came time for them to shop for them,” said Poovendran

“Geeta said she and her husband agreed that they were only buying local for Christmas, and the idea for Shop the Shores kind of popped into our heads.” said Baumwell. “Instead of creating an Amazon wish list, or using apps at Crate & Barrel or Walmart, why don’t people just walk to the local shops and register for what they want for the holidays? The whole point is to bring folks in to register for gifts but to also feel good that they’re supporting local. With Amazon it’s easy, it’s convenient to shop online and the things get delivered to our house. But you know, when you’re supporting the corporations over the independent shops, it makes it harder for the independent shops to stay open.”

But is this all for the guys? Has our Amazon and gift-card-from-Walgreens culture made us value convenience over personalization?

“This helps me shop too,” said Poovendran. “My husband registered, and he has a lot of stuff. What do you buy the man who has everything?”

SHOP THE SHORES CATCHES ON

(Kate Bauman)

Owners Kim Flower and Andy Wagnar in front of their business, Flight Wine Lounge & Shop

To date, 13 local business owners are on board with Shop the Shores, embracing the program wholeheartedly. The shops also help the shoppers access the wish list at the store, and to find the listed items, even building customized sets around a singular item, to create a uniquely personalized gifting that leaves everyone feeling thrilled.

Jessica Wade Pfeffer, a neighbor of Poovendran and Baumwell who works in public relations, has also contributed her efforts in support of Shop The Shores to draw attention to the local businesses in The Village.

“It’s a win-win,” she said, “as everyone gets what they want and there’s no guessing for the gift giver.”

Shop the Shores is similar to other retail registry programs, but instead of going to large retail chains, they keep it local.

“Throughout the holidays, all the food we cooked came from a local store called Shores Gourmet,” said Poovendran. “We got our prime rib from Proper Sausages. All of our gifts under our tree came from Rustic French Home”

A LITTLE OASIS

(Kate Bauman)

The wall of wine at Flight Wine Lounge & Shop

When Kim Flower, owner of the Flight Wine Lounge, opened her business seven years ago, it was one of the first bar/restaurants in the area. She is pleased that her lounge has helped build the foot traffic vibe downtown.

“Neighbors love coming home from work and not having to leave the neighborhood again to go out and dine, or have a glass of wine, or get ice cream with their kids,” said Flower. “When the weather is lovely, people will just walk over and ride their bikes over, so they don’t have to get in their cars to come. We just need to remind people to keep coming out. It really is a little oasis in that you can walk to your neighborhood downtown and have an evening out.”

There are lots of little events that go on throughout the year to attract locals and others to experience the area. Flower does a wine fair in her back courtyard every year. Additionally, there are street festivals, a weekly farmer’s market during season, the annual Green Day festival in April, and a farmer’s market in season on Sundays. Plus, the shops are distinctive, not the same corporate businesses which are so common.

“Everybody brings their own ideas and tastes to the table,” said Flower. “A couple of stores have home goods items. Each is one-of-a-kind – things you won’t find anywhere else. Even at the wine bar, you’re finding small producer wines – you’re not going to find these kinds at Publix. You’ll find unique wines that you can try from all over the world.”

YEAR-ROUND GIFT-GIVING

Shop the Shores isn't just aimed at holidays; shoppers are encouraged to register year-round to be ready for a birthday, work promotion, Mother’s Day, Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, whatever the occasion.

“The winter holidays were sort of our first push,” said Baumwell. “I think leading up to Mother’s Day we’ll see a nice surge of registrations. There's a large community of mothers, lots of families that are just starting out that are moving here and catching on. The downtown scene and Shop the Shores are starting to build momentum. I only have fur babies, but there’s even a grooming salon, Jolly Mutt Pet Grooming, that has pet toys and leashes and little outfits, cute little gifts for pets. There’s something for every member of your family.”

Poovendran challenges locals to consider if it makes sense to spend exorbitant amounts for luxe items in the art district or other high-end shops, and battle the traffic, or to order online instead of putting money back into the community.

“The whole point of Shop the Shores is to get people to shop locally, then also to feel good that they're supporting local,” said Poovendran, “Everything that we need is downtown in the Shores.”

Stores that want to participate in Shop the Shores can get more information by emailing shoptheshores@gmail.com ##

Shop the Shores Stores

Aviva Pilates

211 NE 98th St.

305-372-4161

www.avivapilates.com

Earthy Chic Boutique