Many know Fort Lauderdale for its beaches, nightlife and high-end eateries. However, locals are able to appreciate Fort Lauderdale for more than just its tourist attractions. Tucked away down little streets off Andrews Avenue and Federal Highway, are the quaint and artsy districts located within the city. They offer a unique edge while preserving a homelike atmosphere.
If you’re local to the little big town of Fort Lauderdale, you’re likely to see the same few people at all the same coffee shops, gyms and bars within those streets. The sense of familiarity draws many local businesses, artists and creatives together, inspiring a postmodern kitsch and camp culture whilst honoring the old ‘n rustic districts.
Among those local businesses was Brew Next Door Coffee Shop, previously connected to C&I Studios, a marketing and production studio.
Brew Next Door
With established locations in Los Angeles and New York City both, C&I Studios decided to grow their market into South Florida as well. In 2010, they opened a new studio in Fort Lauderdale’s Fat Village located off of First Avenue and Sixth Street. As trailblazers, they transformed the village into what it is today, a relevant market of businesses turned from a dangerous neck of the hood.
Three years later, C&I producers decided to open a coffee shop next door to their studio with the vision of bringing coffee and community into their newly beloved neighborhood. In 2013, Brew Next Door was born. Producer and Vice President of Business Development, C&I Studios, Beth Bryant said, “we wanted to create something that wasn’t another cheesy YOLO vibe”. Referring to the steakhouse and lounge native to the nightlife scene of South Florida, located downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Brew Next Door soon became a popular destination for its combination of fresh brewed coffee and fancy libations.
The infusion of culture and art created a unique and memorable experience for patrons. The vintage decor and cozy academia ambiance immersed guests in the bygone era of Café society, where they could indulge their fantasies of sipping alongside the legendary Ernest Hemingway. This led to the inspired name of their best-selling original cocktail, “The Ernest Hemingway”. Along with their famed lattes and cappuccinos, Brew paid homage to the late, classic authors of our time with handcrafted cocktails fashioned after each of their names.
Brew Next Door not only served refined and edgy concoctions but fostered a sense of community for literary enthusiasts and artists with shared interests.
The heart and mission of Brew Next Door was to cultivate a collective of artists that brought a sense of belonging to Fort Lauderdale. On an average day at Brew, it was nothing out of the ordinary to witness locals painting, playing instruments, or creating their brand. This was outside of the open mic nights that packed out the house every week with talented musicians, vocalists, poets and comedians.
An unexpected end
12-years later, on July 31st, 2022, the locks were changed and the doors to Brew Next Door and C&I Studios, were closed forever. But what really happened? Why would a thriving coffee landmark close its doors after 12-years of loyal community and business?
The studio shares their side of things and how it started. In 2020, the staff of C&I Studios sat down with landlord and property owner, Doug McGraw and a development company to discuss a new project plan in which everything along First Avenue and Sixth Street would be torn down to build upon a new vision.
Fat Village will be another Las Olas
Today, the plan includes an urban art district full of 25-story residential high rises, commercialized art, retail shoppes and bars all along the Brightline rail to bring revenue and life to Fat Village. Imitating the blueprint and vibe of the nightlife scene along Las Olas Boulevard, Fat Village will be turned into another cookie cutter strip of pricey shopping and dining.
During the meeting, landlord McGraw and developers agreed upon the plan to build a new space for Brew and C&I Studios designed in the best interest of the producer’s needs. The team was promised to be included and kept in the loop for potential changes.
For two years this was the plan, or so C&I thought. After the initial planning meeting artists, barbers and other local businesses in the area looked to C&I Studios as leaders in the civic community to advocate for all businesses affected, making sure everything was kept honest. C&I became trusted pillars in the community.
In 2022 things became quiet. There had been no word or update from the developers for almost a year which C&I found strange. Then as of April 2022 a meeting was called where it was shared that the rent for the new space allotted for Brew and the studio, would cost $60 a square foot.
$60 a square foot was profoundly greater than the original amount projected in the budget. After C&I staff expressed concern for the confusion and impractical situation, they were informed they could no longer have the new space. According to the development company, a cozy coffee shop and studio would not match the aesthetic of the other retailers and restaurants planned for construction. It was made clear it would cost a pretty penny if Brew and C&I tried to stay.
Brew not allowed in new “art district” beside other businesses
It is common in growing cities for investors to buy out old apartment buildings and section-8 HUDs for demolition in order to build new luxurious high-rise developments. Prior residents are offered an opportunity to move into the new unit and keep their home once it is ready. But as time progresses management reveals that rent and fees will rise substantially outside of their bracket. Consequentially, residents and families are left destitute unable to pay. It’s called bait and switch.
For Brew and C&I, once the original plan had been switched and rescinded by the landlord, it was clearly stated that they would have three months to move out. “It was a nasty long con, it was disgusting”, commented entrepreneur and CEO of C&I Studios, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, Joshua Miller.
Demolition was to start by December 2022. As of June 2023, demolition has commenced. Even still, on July 31, 2022, the locks were changed before the team of C&I Studios and Brew Next Door were able to move everything out. The team was lied to and strung along for almost two years over a 150-million-dollar project that they were cut out of. The C&I team forced to pack their bags, regrouped in other areas as their global business continued to grow. But the Fort Lauderdale legacy was cut short. Brew did not close, they were forced out.
Owner of Brew Next Door, Rick Hunter and the team believed Brew had a legacy that went before them. Joshua Miller, CEO of C&I Studios, said, “We weren’t built by developers, Brew was built with soul and love, and you could feel it. Fort Lauderdale lost real culture and art. We are the endangered species”.
Fighting progress in a dangerously growing city is nothing new for South Florida. The community has faced beautification projects and over-commercialized “art districts” with high end chain establishments and overpriced high-rise developments, for years now.
Locals have voiced their opinions on the travesty of the situation. Fort Lauderdale resident and former Brew connoisseur, Lindsay Croston commented, “hipsters gentrify an area and then capitalists see opportunity and take advantage.”
The culture of Fort Lauderdale will be a little less rich without Brew Next Door and the family within it. However, the owners and staff reassure the city, that the intentional creativity and talent bred within those walls, will live on.
Thank you to the staff and owners of Brew Next Door and C&I Studios, Fort Lauderdale for 12-years of faithful service. C&I assures locals that not all hope is lost. Something special is in the works, and the creatives of South Florida will not be left behind.
