

We have a gas stove, so we can boil water if we have to," he says, "and coolers to keep the beer cold."ĭuring Hurricane Matthew, the crowd at Gramps grew so large that some customers waited an hour and a half for pizzas. "We have generators, we have fuel, we have large vessels for water. And the tragedy of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana late last month is a vivid reminder of the destruction that Irma could bring.īut he's also serious about serving his community. Hurricane Irma has intensified to a Category 5 storm, with a projected path currently pointed just south of Florida. Gersten is serious about the storm, and with good reason. "Or not a party if there's lots of damage," Gersten adds, careful to avoid sounding cavalier, "but we'll be open." The bar will remain open until "just before it's unsafe" and will reopen as soon as possible for a planned "hurricane hangover party." This year, Gersten says, Gramps is prepared - both for the storm and the crowds of patrons who'll likely pass through its doors as Hurricane Irma inches closer to South Florida. "We were understaffed because we didn't realize how many people would already have done their prep and had nothing else to do." What are three local meals you can't live without?Įnriqueta's breakfast (the special breakfast with bacon), a colon-cleansing vegan lunch at Honey Tree, and then a burger and 5 million drinks at Magnum.Last September, as Hurricane Matthew lurked in the Atlantic, hundreds of patrons gathered at Gramps in Wynwood. "People came out and hung out until the last minute," the bar's owner, Adam Gersten, recalls.

We need younger, stronger, more visionary leaders in our community, who actually see what is happening everywhere else in the country that works and is good, and who will actually move this city into the 21st century properly. Why do you hate Miami? Why do you love Miami? I only hate Miami temporarily and usually it is related to shortsighted politicians. Upcoming projects you're working on: Getting our operations-side right at Gramps and opening a small record-pressing plant in Opa-Locka. Last big project you did: Graduate law school My friends in this business who I admire, they work their asses off and create the environment for people to create their best memories.
#Gramps wynwood owner mac
I always heard that Mac from Deuce is like 99 years old and still sits in the back office. People say we have this shitty fuck-it attitude about time and work. In my eyes, it is no reflection on the city or the arts here.ĭoing your job right and working hard aren't things Miami is necessarily known for. I know some people made some weird big deal about Alvaro and Jen leaving, or Pres, or whoever, to LA, but they still have this place in their blood. How have you seen Miami change over your own lifetime? Then we had this genius epoxy guy come pour the tables. Basically, I just handed out tables to some talented buddies and let them do their thing. I know other states have bars with stuff in clear epoxy in their tables, but I feel like it is so much a part of my fondest drinking binges in this great state. Basically, I wanted to pay homage to Flannigan's and other similar types of joints with that seaside/roadside tavern vibe. Long, me, the fellas at Rakontur (Billy, Alfred, and Dave), and Mike Del Marmol. We hear the booths at Gramps are custom-designed by some talented Miami locals. Oh, and he could also toss back a few cold ones in his heyday. He's also taught me the most important lessons in my life and seems to approve of the trajectory I'm on. He is a sharp guy, a hard worker (85+ and still goes to work at his real estate office), he is an avid beer stein collector, loves Westerns and WWII movies, is a vet, a lady-killer, and an all-around smooth guy. He has a complexity of character that is pretty much unparalleled.

Tell us about the namesake gramps, Irving Miller. When I want to feel Miami coursing through my veins, I decide I have an errand to do at 4 a.m., hop in the car, and blast "Crockett's Theme" by Jan Hammer as I fly over the Julia Tuttle, I stare out over the water, see Miami Beach, and say to myself "the world is mine." Then, usually, I realize that I left my wallet at home or locked myself out of the apartment. If I have a tourist friend from out of town and they want to look at the cruise ships, then 395. Well, every day is filled with magic, but I have a certain tingle every time me or one of my friends has a Yngwie Malmsteen sighting and shares it online.ġ95 gets you there faster. Current gig: Catastrophe mitigator/facilitator at Gramps
