As Marlins Park Opens Garage Retail Still Vacant

By Patricia Hoyos
As the Miami Marlins prepared to play their home opener Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, the 53,000 square feet of retail space at the garages outside the doors of the new Marlins ballpark remain empty for now.

Two leases have been signed, one by fast-casual restaurant Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and another by 100 Fires, which will sell cigars along with other merchandise as well as hold cigar-rolling demonstrations. But a Miami Parking Authority spokeswoman said Tuesday that neither has begun building out its space so neither will be ready for business soon.

Frank Martinez, owner of 100 Fires, said in an e-mail that he expects the store to open in mid May. However, for the Marlins opener game, 100 Fires planned to set up a tent near its future site, selling cigars and accessories.

Mr. Martinez, whose family has been in the cigar business since pre-Fidel Castro Cuba and who has owned several cigar shops in Central Florida, said there will be no smoking inside the 625-square-foot store, but that the 100 Fires will be near a designated smoking area.

The Miami Parking Authority spokeswoman said Lime is also expected to open sometime during this baseball season.

Besides the two leases that have been inked, Latin Corner Sports Bar & Grill has submitted a letter of intent but a lease is not yet final.

Latin Corner Sports Bar & Grill would take up about 3,000 square feet. The proposed 10-year lease at $25 per square foot would be for a space facing Northwest Seventh Street and Northwest 14th Avenue. If the restaurant follows through, it would be required to open for business four months from the "receipt of possession of the premises," according to the proposal.

Mindy McIlroy, executive vice president of Terranova, which is leading the leasing efforts, has said that Terranova has made it a priority to bring restaurants and lounges to the space, although the company hasn’t discarded other types of businesses.