đź“· Photo courtesy of Rosemary Carrera
Hi, Rosemary! Who are you? What do you do?
I’m the Founder and Executive Director of 305 Pink Pack, a non-profit that I started after going through breast cancer treatment to help local women who have been diagnosed with cancer. I love what I do because I have the honor of working with women from all walks of life and every part of Miami.
What neighborhood(s) are you reppin’?
I grew up in Westchester and Miami Beach. As a grown-up, I’ve lived in North Beach and now find myself in Coral Gables.
What brings you most alive about the 305?
The vibe — it’s unique to Miami and difficult to put into words. It might be the light reflecting off the ocean, the chocolate and churros as soon as it hits 60 degrees, or just the way you can start to dance on the sidewalk with the music emanating from any local shop. Miami is like no other place.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
I lived in Miami Beach during the “Miami Vice” years. I loved going for walks with my dad. We would always end up sitting on the front steps of an apartment building admiring a statue at what became Versace Mansion. They often filmed “Miami Vice” in our building and you can spot us on our balcony in several scenes!
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pepperoni pizza from Frankie’s. Nothing else comes close.
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.
On my perfect Miami day, we’d start with breakfast at Versailles, then take a bike ride down to Fairchild Botanical Gardens and wander for the afternoon. At night, a stroll through downtown Gables for dinner and drinks at Bouchon Bistro, followed by live music at Books & Books or a movie at the Coral Gables Art Cinema.
What’s your favorite local social media account to follow and why?
Only in Dade — it is a reminder of how wonderful and quirky this city is!
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Once a month, be a Miami tourist — there are so many great things to discover! Scroll through your favorite travel apps and see why people find Miami so alluring.
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
Miami is vibrant with excitement and energy. This keeps me going, and I find inspiration in the people, the food, and the landscape. There is always something new to discover. Even if you grew up here, you can always find Miami must-dos you haven’t done yet! There is also an incredible community of grassroots organizations that are filling the gaps and meeting the needs of people who live here. I love connecting with them and sharing the great work they do.
If there was one thing you could change, address, etc. about Miami, what would it be?
I wish Miami was better at preserving the architecture and natural landscapes of the city. From the Spanish-style homes and buildings in the Gables, Shenandoah, and Little Havana neighborhoods, to the Art Deco and mid-century modern masterpieces of South Miami and Miami Beach, to the Marine Stadium. The architecture of the city speaks to the different movements that shaped Miami. Now, with so much concrete and cookie-cutter homes, it is feeling less and less like the iconic place I grew up in.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
Our daughter is now six years old and loves to explore and learn about what we did as kids growing up here. Bird Bowl, Frankie’s, and Hot Wheels have already become some of her favorites, and I can’t wait to show her more!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2024.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.