Florida's second most populous county by the numbers: Broward in 1980 and 2020s

 

Aerial view of Pompano Beach 1980
State Archives of Florida, Dept. of Commerce

Broward County accounts for 8.8 percent of Florida’s population (2022). It is the second most populous in the Sunshine State.

Comparison of Broward County demographics in 1980 and 2022 reveals how the county has changed. Some statistics parallel those of the nation, of course, but most spotlight the area’s singular growth. Categories changed over the years, making contrasts of some statistics impossible. But recent numbers reflect the current picture if not changes.

In 1980, people were drawn to the area for its weather. The biggest problems in Broward County then were thought to be traffic congestion and high crime. In 2022, the weather remains a big pull factor, though traffic is worse than ever. Today, push factors such as high taxes and rampant crime in home states loom large as motivation to leave for the greener pastures and white beaches in Florida.

1980

Broward County Population  

Total: 1.018 million

50% lived in the county less than seven years

36% moved here from the New York City metropolitan area

54% female

90% white

Average age 39.3 years of age (30% over 60 years in age; 27% 20 years or less)

Politics: 28% identify as liberal

Education: 46% have some college

Income

60% of households earned more than $15,000/year

11% of household earned $35,000 or over a year

10% earned less than $4,000 a year

Housing

Median price of a single-family house: $62,884

 59% lived in single family homes

18% lived in condominiums

13% lived in rental apartments

10% lived in mobile homes or boats

Religion

43% Protestant

32% Catholic

15% Jewish

Fort Lauderdale 2022

2020-2023

Note: “Median” refers to the same number of prices or ages or other quantifiers above and below.

Broward County Population  

Total:  1.944 million

34.2% White (non-Hispanic)

27.6 % Black

30.9% Hispanic

7.3% other

Ages

Median age in 2020: 40.5 (not necessarily the same as average age)

Under 5 years – 5.7%

5-17 – 15.6%

18-34 – 20.9%

35-64 41.2%

65-74 - 9.5%

75+ 7.1%

Largest cities and population

Fort Lauderdale: 189,019

Pembroke Pines: 171,309

Hollywood: 154,909

29.8% live alone

Residents by birth - 2022

Other from throughout United States: 578,268 or 29.9%

Florida born: 682,587 or 35%

Foreign born: 673,696 or 34.8%

Income and jobs - 2022

Median household income: $64,522

Median family income: $77,610

Top job sectors by industry sector

1. Retail

2. Healthcare and social assistance

3. Accommodations and food service

Housing

Median price of a single-family home: $91,800 in 2021

Median sales price of a single-family home April 2023: $398,999 (Rockethomes.com) The county reports $540,000

Education 2022

College – some and up to advanced degree: 63.1% as reported by Broward County (this stat may include broader age group than that below)

U.S. Census reports 34.3% for those over 25 have some college

Religion - primarily Protestant

Politics - 48.85 registered as Democrats

Sources:

Sun-Sentinel, Jan. 13, 1980

Sun-Sentinel, June 6, 1991

State of Florida

Broward County: https://www.broward.org/Planning/Demographics/Pages/QuickFacts.aspx

Rocket Homes: https://www.rockethomes.com/real-estate-trends/fl/broward-county

U.S. Census https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/browardcountyflorida

Tags: Broward County history, Broward County statistcs, Broward County in the 1980s

Yesterday’s Restaurant looms large in memories of Fort Lauderdale dining and nightlife

Florida State Archives

 

Yesterday’s Restaurant and One Up Lounge
Oakland Park and the Intracoastal
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

By Jane Feehan

On Oct. 25, 1975, the sign for Yesterday’s Restaurant was installed to replace the one for the Moonraker, its predecessor. It was the last of preparations before opening Oct. 29.  The stately exterior of the large building, where some had hoped gambling to flourish once it was legalized by the state, remained the same. The interior, however, was redone featuring a first-level restaurant and bar and an upper- level nightclub, the One Up Lounge, overlooking the Intracoastal and east Fort Lauderdale. 

Plush, ornate and classy, it seemed no expense was spared in the makeover. Enclosed terrace dining, added soon after, would be the coveted place for holiday dining in the years to follow. For intimate gourmet dining, the Plum Room opened, welcoming a stream of the Hollywood famous and Washington politicos.

The entertainment media, invited for opening night, were greeted with an impressive-and thematic- collection of Model-T Fords and other vintage cars lining its sloping driveway to the entrance. 

The band Everyone (see below).
Photo courtesy of
Spencer Mallinson

Fort Lauderdale News Entertainment Editor Jack Zink was there that night and reported that the four-piece band, Everyone, and singer Trish Long, kept the room at the One Up and its dance floor "full to capacity."  They continued to fill it for a year. For me, the opening set the stage for a terrific night of food, entertainment and repeat visits over the years for fine dining, holiday celebrations and dancing.

Who could forget the oversized white, nearly sparkling wigs bartenders wore along with those disco-era body suits (pale blue as I recall) at the One Up? If out-of-town (or country) visitors forgot the name of the place, all they had to do was mention those wigs ... and Yesterday’s was their answer. 

Early evening live music during “Jam Session Mondays,” included Fort Lauderdale legend Andy Bartha and the Dixieland Jazz Band. But later, pulsating disco music prevailed along with era-requisite strobe lighting. The entire restaurant was a hit, the food ... first class. Yesterday’s was so busy at night it often took more than 30 minutes for a valet to retrieve a car. The popular spot attracted people of all ages for special occasions, including wedding receptions and Sunday brunches. Many reserved months ahead for a waterside view of the December Winterfest Boat Parade. A long list of civic groups chose Yesterday's for meetings and events that were covered by local newspapers. It was the place to be seen.

Things slowed down in the 1990s. Culture and lifestyles changed. No more disco music. Residents and travelers sought simpler, and perhaps less expensive dining and entertainment. To add to slow down woes, the landmark restaurant attracted a large, less lucrative early bird dinner crowd. 

In August 1999, the owners, who included celebrated Judge Arnie Grevior* (with wife Barbara) and at one time, Peter Goldhahn (Aruba Beach Cafe), announced Yesterday’s would close Aug. 31 that year. The once- popular nightspot would revert to a more casual atmosphere in October under the revived name, Moonraker, but closed not long after. It was sad to see lights out and a fence go up around this once-popular queen of Fort Lauderdale nightlife. The building was demolished in the early 2000s to make way for an expensive retirement home…with a great view.    

The building may have been demolished but not all the memories of an era and all its fun.  

NOTES

PHOTO: The band, Everyone - featured left to right as Spencer Mallinson recalled: "Richie the drummer (last name forgotten); Bill Davis, keyboard; Bob Bobbin, bass and Spencer, guitarist." Not featured here was Trish Long, vocalist. This group also played at Big Daddy's on Conmmercial, Art Stock's Playpen, the Flying Machine and the 4 O'Clock Club. "Those were great years for music," reminisced Mallinson. Indeed they were.

*Arnold Grevior died at age 92 March 3, 2020. He was a “lawyer, judge, a philanthropist, patron of the arts and a respected member of the community for over 50 years.” See more at: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sunsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=arnold-grevior&pid=195608585&fhid=8774

Sources:

Fort Lauderdale News, Oct. 25, 1975
Fort Lauderdale News, Aug. 10, 1999
Fort Lauderdale News, March 4, 2020

Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Fort Lauderdale in the 1970s, Fort Lauderdale in the 1980s, Fort Lauderdale in the 1990s, One Up Lounge, Fort Lauderdale history, History Fort Lauderdale 

The Candy Store, sleazy ghost of Fort Lauderdale's Spring Break past

By Jane Feehan

A few years ago, someone suggested I write histories of restaurants and clubs in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. I pointed out that unless establishments made the news, there wouldn’t be much to write about; owners are/were too busy trying to keep the doors open to think about legacy. Most go out of business.

But a few spots did make the news. One was the infamous Candy Store at 1 North Atlantic Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale beach, adjacent to then-named Caribbean West Trade Winds Hotel.* Popular for its wet T-shirt, Teenie Weenie Bikini, belly flop, beer guzzling contests and a lineup of other slothful student activities of past spring break years, the Candy Store reportedly drew 2,000 patrons during the day and 3,000 at night at the height of its popularity, which one manager deemed was 1986. That year, more than 325,000 young people swarmed the beach for the six-week bacchanal. (Some news stories indicate 380,000 Spring Breakers visited the city in 1985.)

Owner Bobby “Van” Vannuchi (d. July '20) opened the Candy Store in 1977 (its beloved beach predecessor, the Button Lounge opened in 1970).  A friend of football great and party hearty guy Joe Namath, Van had, according to news accounts, an interest along with Namath in Bachelor’s III (AL, FL, MA, NY); news accounts indicated he also owned Mr. Laffs and Mr. Pips in Fort Lauderdale.

According to Van, he employed as many as 350 at the Candy Store during Fort Lauderdale spring break. That’s what he told Daytona Beach officials in 1989 where he was opening another Candy Store on Grandview Avenue (he reportedly also owned one in New York City).  He was looking beyond Fort Lauderdale to expand business.

There was cause to be nervous about things in Fort Lauderdale; the welcome mat was about to be pulled from students. The spring break business climate was changing in Fort Lauderdale. Commissioners had had enough of the city’s demeaning party image. It wasn’t attracting the development needed to expand its tax base. And, in 1987 as many as 12 students were killed in Florida during Spring Break in alcohol- and drug-related incidents. The Candy Store was emblematic of all the city was trying to get rid of so it became a major target of dismantling the spring festivities that began in 1935 and increased in popularity with the 1960 release of the film Where the Boys Are.

According to news sources, the city of Fort Lauderdale cited the Candy Store for 52 code violations in April 1989 targeting plumbing, electrical and fire and safety infractions. Also reported, the club could lose its liquor license because it was predicated upon the club operating adjacent to a hotel with at least 50 rooms. That hotel, the Caribbean Trade Winds, entered bankruptcy in 1988 or 1989 and was to close.

Van also had problems in Daytona. Published accounts reveal he paid $375,000 for his new 15,000 square foot club and about $500,000 for renovations. City officials raised zoning concerns and tried to block the opening for six months. A pending moratorium on issuing building permits was overturned by the 5th Court of Appeals in March 1989. Van moved forward to open before the end of that year’s spring break; the Candy Store in Daytona remained open until March, 1991. News accounts indicate he retained part ownership rights on the building and leased it to another nightclub impresario. (The fate of the NYC club is unknown to this writer.)

Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale could claim success in its re-imaging efforts: only 20,000 students flocked to its beaches in 1989. By 1990, business at the Candy Store was reportedly off 50 percent (at least). The club limped along until 1993 when it shut its doors. Bobby Van remained in the restaurant biz as late as 2005; records indicate he owned Jilly’s Café at 2761 E. Oakland Park Boulevard but it has since closed.

The Candy Store still evokes fond memories. On one message board, a man asked recently if anyone knew the tall blonde bartender he went out with in 1986. He wanted to reconnect but lost her name and phone number (hilarious - she could be a grandmother now). Others remember Paul W. Lorenzo, managing partner in 1983 who dressed in shorts, tuxedo jacket, tie and one of his 700 zany hats. Anyone who gave him a hat earned a free lifetime membership to the Candy Store.

 

Today, that membership is to a hall of memories of spring break madness. The only place still operating along the strip is the Elbo Room first opened in 1936 or 1938. No doubt people gather there on occasion to share stories about Bobby Van's place. 

Copyright © 2015, 2022 All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.

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Note: The Ritz Carlton Hotel currently sits at the old site of the Candy Store.

*The original Trade Winds Oceanfront Hotel was built in 1940, one of the city's largest at the time.

Tags: Fort Lauderdale clubs, Fort Lauderdale in the 1980s, Fort Lauderdale Spring Break, Fort Lauderdale history


Sources:
Lakeland Star Ledger, April 3, 1983
Star News, Feb. 19, 1987
News-Journal, Feb. 4, 1989
News-Journal, Feb. 17, 1989
Ocala Star Banner, Nov. 25, 1990
News-Journal, Feb. 19, 1992
Sun-Sentinel, Nov. 15, 1996
NBC News, March 17, 2008