The Mysterious Man
Most RE students and faculty have been to the Starbucks on the corner of Grand Avenue and Main Highway at least once. Usually, you see different people every time you walk through the glass doors. One day there might be a man decked out in biking gear picking up his mobile order; the next, a young woman sipping her coffee and typing away on her computer. But there is one customer so regular that his face is well-known by the RE community. He usually sits by the window in the back left corner of the coffee shop, and his constant presence has caused considerable intrigue surrounding his backstory. One day, I decided to sit down and have a coffee with him. His name is Patrick Ross.
Q: Can you tell us about your roots in Coconut Grove?
A: I was born and raised here. I went to Carver Elementary, then Ponce Middle School, and finally Gables High. My family’s home was on William Avenue, just a block down from the playhouse. Growing up, I could step outside, look up the street and see the back of the playhouse. It was a special time.
Q: The Coconut Grove Playhouse seems to have had a big impact on you. What was it like back then?
A: The playhouse was a hub for culture and creativity. I saw Broadway originals like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell,” and “Hair” right there. It was also responsible for the very first Coconut Grove Arts Festival in 1962. The owner sponsored it to draw cultural interest to the area. It’s heartbreaking to see it closed now—it’s such a loss for the community.
Q: What was the Grove like during your childhood?
A: It was like a huge family. Everyone knew each other, and there were no boundaries for me—I had friends in both the white and Black parts of the Grove. There’s a fence behind St. Stephen’s that separates the two areas, but I never saw it as a barrier. We all shared the same streets, parks, and spirit.
Peacock Park was a huge part of that. During the hippie years, it came alive with free concerts, music, and gatherings. There used to be a guy who did tie-dye. He had this little van. He’d park it and he’d put up his little tent. And then there was the guy who sold who rented roller skates.
Q: How has it changed over the years?
A: The old Grove, as we knew it, is mostly gone. Many of the landmarks I grew up with have disappeared or been replaced. Dinner Key, for instance, used to have tiki huts and barbecue pits where families would gather. My father told me that men who worked on Flagler’s railroad would walk home after a day’s work, and their wives would meet them at Dinner Key with dinner—that’s how it got its name.
Now, the Grove is all high-end boutiques and luxury developments. There’s literally a store across the street that has a BMW inside and sells $99 candles and $700 suits.
Q: Do any pieces of the old Grove remain?
A: A few, but they’re rare. The Christian Science Reading Room is still there, and so is the little yellow house by the farmer’s market—it’s over 60 years old. The Grove Library is still standing, and if you walk out the front, you’ll see an iron gate. That’s where Commodore Munroe’s wife is buried, right by the sidewalk. But most of it is gone.
Q: What’s your favorite memory growing up here?
A: The music, for sure. From the free concerts in Peacock Park to the plays at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, there was always something happening. The Grove was alive with creativity and connection. It’s those memories that make the changes so hard to watch. But I’m grateful to have been a part of it all—to have grown up in a place as special as Coconut Grove.
Q: How do you feel about the Grove’s future?
A: It’s bittersweet. I understand progress, but I think we’re losing something irreplaceable—the spirit of the Grove. Back then, it was about people, culture, and creativity. Today, it’s about profit.
I think the only way to preserve the Grove’s legacy is to share these stories. The Grove has a history you won’t find in books. You have to talk to locals to truly understand it.
Q: What do you want people to know about Coconut Grove?
A: The Grove was built by a diverse group of people. My parents came here from the Caribbean, like many others, and they helped shape this community. The Black Grove, in particular, has a rich history—it’s where many of the workers who built Miami lived.
There’s also a resilience here. Even with all the changes, the Grove has a way of holding on to its roots. You can still feel it if you look closely enough.
Q: How do you spend your time these days?
A: I’ve lived in about 36 states and abroad over a 35 year period. Basically, I’m a singer, songwriter, engineer, producer. I do all of those things. I have worked on a lot of records over the years with a lot of different people. And, currently, I’m just enjoying my 60s relaxing. This is my corner office with a window. Most people wish for a corner office with a window. Yeah, I have a great view, as you can see.
