Conca D'Oro closed June 2nd after 36 years in business. A sign of the times or a portent of Hollywood's downtown demise? The last time I ate at Conca D'Oro, about 2 years ago, it was packed.
Sunday, June 24th about 4 pm I took a walk around Downtown Hollywood Florida. Harrison Street was all but deserted with dozens of empty stores and for rent signs. Most of the restaurants on Hollywood Blvd. and Harrison street seemed dark - I had to press my nose against the glass to see in. None seemed very inviting so we ended up driving to a restaurant out of the area. It made me sad to see all the little shops gone. What was left? Apparently a slew of women's clothing shops with sparkly, low cut dresses and ultra high heeled shoes. Most of the merchandise was pretty cheap...looking. Also left were bars. As I passed bar after bar on Hollywood Blvd. the smell of stale beer wafted out, turning me off.
It was only about 4 or 5 years ago when downtown Hollywood was a popular choice for a dinner destination. There was plenty of live music and artsy shops to visit. It was Hollywood's attempt to repackage South Beach or Delray Beach.
I blame the exodus of all the good business from Hollywood to the bad redesign of Young's Circle. Whatever happened here in downtown Hollywood, it is profoundly sad.
