The Last Carrot, Coconut Grove’s oldest continually operating restaurant, will be serving up its last batch of all-natural juice and vegan sandwiches after more than 50 years in business.
Coconut Grove’s go-to healthy food joint has announced it will officially close its doors on Saturday, Feb. 7, bringing at least a temporary end to the beloved family-run establishment.
“Thank you for the loyalty, the love, the conversations, and the support you’ve shown over the years. This place has always been about more than food; it’s been about people,” The Last Carrot shared in a message on Instagram on Sunday.
The Last Carrot is being cleared out, alongside several other small businesses, to make way for the construction of Ziggurat, a five-story mixed-use project at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Matilda Street.
Allen Morris Company, the Coral Gables-based group behind the development, has secured the necessary financing and, last week, a development management agreement with the City of Miami, putting them in the clear to begin construction.
Javier Fernandez, an attorney representing Allen Morris, told the Spotlight that demolition of the existing structures is expected to begin sometime in early to mid-February.
The start of construction will also mean the loss of a block of businesses in the heart of Center Grove, many of which have already announced relocations.
Italian restaurant staple Sapore di Mare will relocate to a space next to Fireman Derek’s on Main Highway, while T&K Nails will move to a strip mall at the corner of U.S. 1 and SW 27th Avenue, alongside Pinecrest Bakery and Pet Supermarket. The UPS Store has already relocated to the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road.
Read more: Grove Merchants Relocate Ahead of Center Grove Demo
Last Carrot co-owner Erin Compton does not see the closure as a permanent goodbye to the business her father, Michael Compton, founded in 1975, though where — or when — The Last Carrot might reemerge remains uncertain.
Allen Morris Company and Fernandez previously pitched the idea of reopening The Last Carrot as a concession stand inside Kirk Munroe Park as part of its revamp, but the idea was dropped from the development agreement after pushback from residents.
Read more: A Proposed Facelift for Kirk Munroe Park
In comments to a reporter last year, Compton said she was eager to remain in the Grove, or close by, but had struggled to find the right spot.
Erin, many thanks to your father and you for starting and maintaining such a beloved Coconut Grove institution!
The Last Carrot, where everyone knows your name.
Sadly, our neighborhood gathering spaces are disappearing one by one.
Ziggurats served as religious temples, providing an elevated, sacred space to connect with gods. They were believed to be homes for the gods, connecting earth and heaven. I will give these developers credit, they sure know how to name stuff. I think the future of “The Well” would be much brighter if they call it: “The Vatican.” Terra Group? I’ll give you this idea for free.