Merrick hired populist William Jennings Bryan to advertise his new city, and brought in busloads of tourists from Miami. Today, Coral Gables is a tediously and beautifully maintained, upscale suburb of Miami. But in addition to pricey homes, particularly at the south end, there is a bustling middle-income, mostly Hispanic community in North Gables. The 1990 census shows that the Hispanic population in the Gables has increased from 30 percent in 1980 to 42 percent in 1990. The Gables also has its own thriving downtown.
Nightlife is quiet, but restaurants are diverse and excellent.
Since the city did away with a law that prohibited outdoor dining in 1996, more and more sidewalk cafes are popping up. The main shopping thoroughfare, Miracle Mile, is struggling against the modern malls, but still has its own charm and there are efforts to revitalize it by both the city and the Gables Chamber of Commerce. A great, old-style movie theater on the Mile was purchased by the city and turned into a playhouse in 1995. The city is also home to the University of Miami. Coral Gables straddles U.S. 1, with most of the older, Mediterranean and coral rock homes north and west of the highway, along with the commercial area.