LA Fitness, which is located in the back wing, is still (somehow) kicking thanks to its loyal gym-goers, School of Rock (a musical instrument class company) is still teaching lessons, and AMC Theatres (AMC Sunset Place 24) still has showtimes, Barnes & Noble is still selling books and slinging Starbucks coffees, and Area Stage (a local theatre) is still in action thanks to its loyal following, it's hard to walk around the mall without feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness, nostalgia, and pity.
On a typical Wednesday night, you can almost hear a pin drop as you make your way beneath the broken neon sign that reads "Sunset Place." The cobblestone "street" they built in 1999 is covered in unidentifiable stains, and the restaurant space located at the entrance is completely vacant.
What was once a Hollister (and then an Aldo) is now just an empty room, and what was once a full directory sign with a long list of shops and businesses is now left eerily blank.
But then, laughter erupts faintly in the distance, and suddenly, someone's electric guitar strums an upbeat tempo that catches your attention instantly — it's open mic night at Tea & Poets, a South Miami hidden gem for baked goods, coffee, local artisan vendors, and live events. It's also Sunset Place's last remaining food and beverage tenant.
"Are you worried about the demolition of this spooky place?" I ask Joaquin Ortiz, the owner of Tea & Poets. "I'm just excited to serve all of the construction workers sandwiches and cafecito once they get here," he says with a laugh.
How Did Tea & Poets End Up in This Empty Mall? And How Has It Survived?
Ortiz, a veteran in the food biz and a South Miami resident, has owned Tea & Poets at the Shops at Sunset Place since 2016, and boy, has he singlehandedly witnessed the rise and fall of the place. He's been there so long, that he took over the spot that was once a Delia's (yes, that Delia's. Remember the catalogues?)
But it wasn't easy for Ortiz to get his spot opened up.
He was finally able to lease the space, located right in the heart of Sunset Place (by the large staircase that leads up to the entrance of AMC Sunset Place 24) back in 2016 when Federal Realty, Grass River Property, and Comras Company purchased the failing property from Simon Malls for upwards of $475 million. Ortiz tells New Times the developers had big dreams of recreating a CocoWalk-style mall like in Coconut Grove, but at the time, Sunset Place had a city board that could only pass plans as unanimous decisions. After three failed attempts to push the redevelopment plans, the developers gave up.
"After three failed attempts, the three companies defaulted their loan, and the bank repossessed the mall," he explains. "I watched every tenant vanish one after one. It was doomed once again until Midtown Development purchased the mall for basically $75 million in cash."
The main staircase that sits directly across from Tea & Poets is eerily empty at all hours, but Tea & Poets still draws in youthful customers daily.
Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
"South Miami is ten years behind," he says in disbelief. "It has the strongest two-family income in the city of Miami, but it eats restaurants alive. I'm sure you can think of five restaurants in South Miami that are all gone. It's where restaurants go to die because there was no support from the city to develop the city. Thankfully, we've turned a corner now thanks to Midtown Development and the redevelopment plan, and we at Tea & Poets have just ridden through it."
"From when we started, we never banked on the foot traffic being our way to success," he adds. "Even when we started and there was still a Victoria's Secret, Gap, Disney Store, Hollister, Armani Exchange, Mayor's, and we soon watched each tenant leave one by one. I saw it [the mall] in its glory days, and we watched it die. We made it through because we're special."
Tea & Poets serves more than just tea — it serves coffee, beer, wine, and more.
Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
It's a Wholesome Community Gem for Teenagers and Students in SoMi
Tea & Poets is more than just a live open mic venue and coffee shop — it's a safe space for teenagers from all across Miami, especially from South Miami, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Coral Gables, to gather with like-minded individuals in a spot where alcohol isn't at the forefront (but is on tap for those of legal age). It's the only shop of its kind in the city that truly caters to this young demographic, but in a cool setting (not just slinging bubble tea to teens)."We've connected with our community, which is why we've succeeded in this abandoned mall. All the schools. University of Miami, Lourdes, Gulliver, Palmer Trinity, Columbus, ISPA — they all flock to us daily," Ortiz explains.
He has been able to create such a welcoming environment for Miami's youth that he frequently overhears students calling their parents to let them know they'll be staying there to do homework, and parents even treat the spot like a teenage daycare center. "Kids are like, 'Mom, no, I'm at Tea & Poets, don't worry!' and parents are like, 'Oh, OK dear. Perfect. Stay there, and I'll pick you up later!'" he recalls with a chuckle.
"One of the reasons why we opened this place is because I wasn't a good kid," he explains. "I grew up in Los Angeles as a rebellious kid, and if I had a place where I could've gone to like Tea & Poets, I would've been a better kid and student."
He also credits the incredible local vendors and small businesses that lease space within his sprawling 40,000-square-foot space monthly. He has more than 20 small businesses rotating monthly that promote their shops inside the store, and he has rotating events as well.
Tea & Poets is so large that it is home to more than 20 vendors and even has a large stage for open mic nights and poetry readings.
Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
What Will Happen to Tea & Poets Once They Knock Down Sunset Place?
Ortiz knows his days at the current Sunset Place are numbered but isn't too concerned."I'm excited to serve all of those construction workers coffee and tea. I want them to eat my wraps, salads, and cookies every single day while they're working. However, at the right time, the mall will approach us to leave."
He hopes his current landlord, Midtown Development, will see stories like this one in New Times and realize how important the spot is for the local community. He then hopes they will ensure Tea & Poet's spot when the new development is completed.
"I would stay here, and I hope to stay. I believe Tea & Poets has become something very special. If we can't reopen when the time comes in the same location, then we hope to remain in South Miami," says Ortiz. "Since Tea & Poets isn't 'cool and hot,' it thrives in South Miami. We're like the antithesis of the Brickell scene, and we love it."
Ortiz is excited for the mall to develop and says it may take fifteen years to do so. Therefore, Tea & Poets will be around at Sunset Place for months and months to come.
Tea & Poets. 5701 Sunset Dr., Unit 126, South Miami, inside of Sunset Place; 786-216-7201; instagram.com/teaandpoets.
