Does Miami have a Little Russia or a Little Ukraine? This is where the war hits home
South Florida is a place for the world.
Immigrants from everywhere have settled in Miami, Broward and the Keys — and in some cases in such great numbers in one area that their neighborhoods are now nicknamed “Little” before the name of their homeland.
Our region has Little Havana and Little Haiti, of course. And while not called Little Venezuela, Doral and Weston can easily claim the name.
A world crisis affects the people living in these communities, and they’re on the phone or computer trying to reach loved ones, or sometimes taking to the streets in protest or solidarity.
With Russia’s military attack in Ukraine, what is happening in South Florida?
Is there a Little Russia or a Little Ukraine?
Let’s take a look:
Sunny Isles Beach
This city, a coastal municipality on the northern edge of Miami-Dade County, is sometimes called Little Moscow.
The city, whose spine runs along A1A along the Atlantic, is home to Russian stores and delis. Wealthy Russians have parked their money in the city’s new towering condos, which have replaced the low-slung motels along Collins Avenue that used to draw middle-income tourists.
Sunny Isles Beach is best known for those soaring luxury condos. In decades past, in addition to the small beachfront motels, Sunny Isles was home to the most famous deli in South Florida, Rascal House.
Ukrainians also live in the area, and that prompted a warning from the principal of the public K-8 school in the city:
“Given the high population of students from both regions, it is imperative that we are all vigilant with the students in order to mitigate any potential disruptive behavior or fighting between students from each country,” Principal Melissa Mesa wrote, according to a person who received the note. “Please do not tolerate students being disrespectful towards each other.”
Hallandale Beach
The city is the southernmost coastal city in Broward County, just south of Hollywood, and spans from A1A to west of Interstate 95. Ukrainians and Russians live in apartments, duplexes and houses on both sides of U.S. 1.
Hundreds of people rallied against the attacks on Thursday night near Hallandale Beach City Hall on Federal Highway.
Hallandale Beach is best known for the Gulfstream horse track, which opened in 1939. More than a decade ago, Gulfstream added a shopping and dining complex.
Fisher Island
Like Sunny Isles Beach, Fisher Island also has drawn wealthy Russian investors.
The island, which is off Miami Beach and can only be accessed by ferry, is popular with Russian nationals and is among the richest ZIP codes in the country.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 7:41 AM.
