Nine years after its opening in 2002, Coral Gables’ Village of Merrick Park is doing better than ever. Their occupancy rate is currently over 90%, and sales have increased as well. According to Maria Llorca, Senior Marketing Manager at Village of Merrick Park, this year saw mall sales go up almost 10%, and May marked the eleventh straight month of rising sales.

The success of the mall has much to do with its blend of stores. Merrick Park offers locals and tourists an open-air center boasting a unique mix of stores, from high-end luxury retailers to casual shops. In between anchor department stores Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, for example, lay stores like Victoria’s Secret, Anthropologie and Francesca’s Collections.

Children’s stores like Janie and Jack and Pottery Barn Kids are just an escalator ride away from high-end boutiques like Tiffany & Co. and Jimmy Choo, giving parents a chance to shop for their kids while they shop for themselves. It’s also not unusual to arrive on a sunny Saturday or Sunday afternoon to find children and their parents enjoying the day on benches or at the nearest restaurant’s outdoor tables.

These restaurants are also largely accountable for the success of Merrick Park; the mall is in the middle of adding to its restaurant list, already peppered with popular eateries like Mariposa, Villagio and Sawa Restaurant & Lounge.

May saw the opening of Cinco Cantina & Tequila Bar, a Mexican restaurant. Adding to the selection of restaurants are CG Burgers & Coal Fired Pizza and froyo shop Yogurberry, both set to open soon. Crave, an American-style eatery that draws a happy hour crowd fit to challenge the one at the popular Yard House, is currently under construction as well.

The continually blossoming Village of Merrick Park is currently in the process of negotiating renewals and filling available spaces. Stay tuned for upcoming openings and new additions.

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