South Florida

South Florida's shopping world faces a few changes. See what's in the works

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

South Florida's shopping landscape is shifting through closures, redevelopments, and expansions. Each curated article discusses significant transitions in iconic shopping locations. South Florida sees these changes as part of a broader movement to reset and redefine its retail spaces post-pandemic.

A South Beach site, previously home to an Office Depot, sold for $28.5 million, hinting at future high-end developments. The buyer's plans remain undisclosed, but the sale points toward a trend of upscale transformation in the area. Miami could soon witness the demolition of its last Sears store, paving the way for a mixed-use development with residential units and retail space. The site's history and proximity to Coral Gables make it an attractive spot for new investments. Meanwhile, Miami Beach embarks on a renovation project for Lincoln Road Mall, aiming to revive its pedestrian appeal. High-profile dining spots have already begun attracting both local and international interests, attempting to restore the street's former bustle. This mix of closures, sales, and refurbishments illustrates an accelerating metamorphosis in South Florida's shopping scenes.

Coral Gables’ Behar Font Partners’ artistic rendering of a proposed 8.12-acre mixed use development for 3655 SW 22nd Street. That is where a Sears store has been located since 1959. The site plan was approved by Miami in April 2025. That doesn’t guarantee the project will move forward.

NO. 1: LAST SEARS STORE IN SOUTH FLORIDA COULD DISAPPEAR. HERE ARE THE PLANS

What to know about the future of the site. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

The site

NO. 2: A SOUTH BEACH SITE WITH A BIG-BOX STORE HAS BEEN SOLD FOR $28.5M. WHAT’S NEXT?

The trendy neighborhood features cafes and is near the water. | Published June 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha

A man walking along Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road Mall is reflected in the window of a vacant shop. By Alexia Fodere

NO. 3: LINCOLN ROAD REVIVAL? MIAMI BEACH HOPES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR MAKEOVER BRINGS BACK CROWDS

After a decade of planning, delay and debate, the city of Miami Beach has broken ground on a scaled-down version of a multimillion-dollar renovation plan for Lincoln Road Mall that aims to restore some of the famed pedestrian promenade’s lost shine. | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.