Cobb's Country Store's Rustic Launch

1952: Sheesh, You'd Think These Guys Had Never Seen a Mule Before
The launch of Cobb's Country Store on September 4, 1952 suggests how Miami life revolved around the winter "season" decades ago. In a month or so most of the local bigwigs would be caught up in Miami's winter whirlwind, but in September -- still a bit early for snowbirds to fly south -- the mayor of Miami and "a score of other South Florida community leaders" had nothing better to do than horse around with a mule.
Granted, Cobb's Country Store was a big project -- "practically a city in itself - a million dollar one-stop shopping center.*" Owner Cobb's grand scheme was to subdivide interior of his big building on Northeast 79th Street, just west of the FEC tracks and rent spaces to a variety of merchants. Think flea market, antique mall or farmer's market.
How did Cobb's big idea turn out? The answer seems lost to history, but the retail hub's opening day featured several prominent Miamians. McGregor Smith, then president of Florida Power and Light, is seen at 11 seconds playing his trademark harmonica. About 15 seconds later long-time Miami police chief Walter Headley is among the dignitaries giving the mule a push. Miami mayor Chelsea Senerchia tugs on the animal's reins at 30 seconds.
The mule is not identified.
*WTVJ News script, September 4, 1952.
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This clip is derived from news film in the WTVJ Collection. Accession number TVN0058-298-02; airdate September 4, 1952.