Business

What’s up in Little Havana: Life House

THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Little Havana THE PLACE: Life House Hotel is Little Havana’s first boutique hotel, and it’s not just for travelers. It’s for locals who want to live like they travel here. The courtyard feels more like a backyard with its plants, hammock, and edible garden. The cafe, Parcela, offers a modern take on Latin cuisine—inspired […]

/ May 8, 2019

Chocolate, Miamified

THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Little Havana THE PLACE: Exquisito Chocolates is Miami’s first chocolate factory, and they like to “Latinize” and “Miami-fy” their bean-to-bar bon bons: “Little Guavana” is made with fresh guava, and “Miami Vice” is a dark-chocolate truffle made with cafecito and dulce de leche. FUN FACT: Local brewers and chefs at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co., Azucar Ice Cream Company, […]

/ April 29, 2019

At Zaytouna, Syrian refugees start from scratch

WHAT SHE’S DOING: Christa Tawil believes that food can bridge the cultural gaps that separate us. That’s why she founded Zaytouna, an organization by and for Syrian refugee women to help each other resettle in South Florida and gain financial independence. At Zaytouna, the women produce homemade foods from the Middle East, such as baklava, […]

/ April 15, 2019

Miami sisters take different paths, have the same passion for their work

The Ramos sisters, Olivia, in photo on the left, and Camila, in photo on the right, credit their parents for their high level of attention to detail at each of their businesses. (📸: Photos provided) For sisters Camila and Olivia Ramos, the details matter. And it shows in their respective businesses.    Camila, who is […]

/ April 3, 2019

Tea ‘n Sanity has books ‘n more

THE PLACE: Tea ‘n Sanity is the last used book store in Miami-Dade County. Eunice Rodriguez takes in more than 2,000 books every week, but at this shop, you’ll find much more than books. It’s a combination book exchange ‘n medicinal herb shop. Rodriguez is a self-taught herbalist and will custom-blend herbs and essential oils […]

/ March 28, 2019

DIY Poke Bowl rolls sushi – and ice cream?

THE PLACE: If you’ve ever somehow had a craving for both ice cream and sashimi then this West Kendall spot, DIY Ice Cream Roll and Poke Bowl, is for you. THE FOOD: Tang Chen’s restaurant offers homemade, made-to-order ice cream rolls, sushi and poke bowls. They even offer ice cream “tacos.” They’re open late and they deliver through services like Postmates and Grubhub. TANG’S STORY: Tang moved to Miami in 2017 for the […]

/ March 27, 2019

Black Architects in the Making design futures

MEET THIS CHANGEMAKER: Craig Aquart is a Jamaican-American architect, principal of MCHarry & Associates and the founder of Black Architects in the Making, an outreach programthat educates middle and high school students about architecture through activities, workshops and summer camps with the goal of diversifying the profession. WHAT IS HE DOING: Craig travels to communities […]

/ March 6, 2019

This immigrant-powered startup is helping airlines soar

Just a small part of EveryMundo’s 84-person team. (📸: @everymundo) Some people say there’s not enough technical talent in Miami. Anton Diego disagrees. “It’s just a matter of how you leverage that talent and how you position that talent to be successful,” he said. “You have to invest in people differently if they come from […]

/ February 14, 2019

Video: Claps for Mr. Yap

People say Mr. Yap is crazy. But ask him, and he’ll tell you he’s just “crazy happy.” George Yap migrated from Jamaica to Miami in 1976 with $50 in his pocket. With the help of family and friends, he founded Leasa Industries in 1977 inside a dilapidated warehouse in Liberty City. Today, his company is […]

/ February 13, 2019

Video: Inside the Historic Hampton House

Just outside Liberty City, you’ll find Brownsville, a neighborhood frequented by influential athletes, entertainers and civil rights leaders during the fifties and sixties, when Miami was segregated. Brownsville is home to the Historic Hampton House, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. first rehearsed a draft of his “I Have a Dream” speech and organized strategic […]

/ February 7, 2019