CBS4 Morning Team's Favorite Places: Lincoln Road

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – All week long, the CBS4 Morning Team has shown you their favorite places around South Florida. They've taken you to Coconut Grove, Davie and Coral Gables and now CBS4 Morning Co-anchor Rhiannon Ally reveals her favorite place is Lincoln Road.

Rhiannon moved to South Florida three years ago. She lives in Miami Beach and finds that it's not all about parties and tourists. She fell in love with Lincoln Road because it's the perfect place to spend time with family.

Steven Gombinski is the Lincoln Road Property Owners Association President and he said it's easy to see why Lincoln Road draws so many people. "It engages you. It's a place you can see people, where you can be seen. You can interact, There's an excitement here."

CLICK HERE TO WATCH RHIANNON ALLY'S REPORT

If you're hungry, Lincoln Road offers just about anything you're in the mood for.  There's the Cafe at Books and Books, Mexican food, sushi, and steak houses. "Moms, you know even the pickiest eaters will be happy," said Rhiannon.

Books and Books is one of the last locally owned shops on Lincoln Road. Much too many people's dismay, rent prices keep climbing.

CBS4 News partner The Miami Herald reports rent prices in 1985 averaged $6 a square foot. Today they average $300 a square foot.

Gombinski said there are still plenty of mom and pop shops nearby.

"A lot of property owners are trying to do development on side streets.  So Lincoln Road doesn't just become a road, but a district where these stores integrate with stores on Lincoln Road. That'll be wonderful for residents and tourists."

Gombinski explained Lincoln Road had a glorious beginning.

"It had been known as the 5th Avenue of the South," he said.

But it went through a rough period in the 80's and had its ups and downs.

Gombinski's family bought 900 Lincoln Road in 1986 and witnessed it first-hand. "It had gone into deep decline," he said.

His building housed the restaurant "Pasha's" for nearly 10 years, but it closed in 2013.

Gombinski said he then decided to restore the building to its original beauty, and gave it a major renovation.

The clothing store, Bebe, will move from its current location and open its doors in November.

Dylan's Candy Bar is another one of Rhiannon's favorite spots on Lincoln Road. Opened by Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan, 2 years ago, it's quickly become a popular go-to spot for families.

Even if you're not in the mood to shop, eat, or drink and you want to save some money, Lincoln Road is the perfect place to take a walk; people watch and just enjoy the weather which is why Rhiannon loves Lincoln Road.

CBS4 Traffic Reporter Vanessa Borge explained on Tuesday why Kennedy Park in Coconut Grove is her favorite place and Co-anchor Walter Makaula revealed on Wednesday that he enjoys the outdoors horse-back riding at Bar-B-Ranch in Davie. Thursday, it was CBS4 Meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez who showed us why the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is her favorite place.

Do you have a favorite South Florida spot? Tweet us @cbsmiami and use the hashtag #cbs4favorites.

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