Skinny Louie's smashburgers are headed to Las Olas
A smashburger chain has a Fort Lauderdale address, and World Cup viewing is set for Las Olas this week.
Skinny Louie's smashburgers are headed to Las Olas
Skinny Louie, the Miami-born smashburger spot that won the "Very Best Burger" award at the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival and the Burger Bash at the 2025 New York City Wine & Food Festival, is opening a Fort Lauderdale location. The restaurant is moving into Bank of America Plaza at 401 Las Olas Boulevard, alongside Barry's Bootcamp. The building is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, and the burger shop is expected to open around that time. Skinny Louie keeps its menu tight: three smashburgers built on 100% fresh Black Angus beef patties, thin-cut fries, milkshakes, and in-house sauces. The chain, led by Gonzalo Rubino and Matias Palloni, recently opened at Dania Pointe in Dania Beach to crowds that waited hours for a burger. (What Now Miami)
Tax break on the ballot has South Florida cities sounding alarms
A proposed property tax break heading to voters has put South Florida cities on edge, with local governments warning of consequences for budgets and services if it passes. At the same time, thousands of homeowners are eager to vote on the measure, which would lower what they owe. The tension sets up a fight between near-term homeowner savings and the revenue that cities rely on to fund local operations. (Sun Sentinel)
Sweet Melody announced a Flagler Village shop
Sweet Melody Ice Cream announced an April 10 grand opening for its Fort Lauderdale location at The Hive in Flagler Village, 908 N Flagler Drive. The shop pitched small-batch scoops, a 1960s rec-room feel, Fort Lauderdale-exclusive flavors, weekend donations to Women In Distress of Broward County, and hours running into the evening most nights. (What Now Miami)
Hit-and-run suspect arrested after deputy injured
Sean Alexis, 40, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that injured a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy. The crash happened Friday around 6:15 p.m. near West Broward Boulevard and Northwest 11th Avenue, and the driver fled before being found in Plantation that night, BSO said. Alexis faces charges including failing to stop at a crash involving serious injuries and driving with a suspended license, and remains at the Broward County Main Jail. The deputy suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has been released from the hospital. (NBC 6 South Florida)
Tourism leaders wary of new travel fees despite World Cup boost
South Florida tourism got a lift from an international travel conference and stands to gain more from World Cup soccer, but a national travel group says proposed visa fees and added visitor vetting are counterproductive and could blunt that momentum. The conference drew industry leaders to the Broward County Convention Center earlier this spring. (Sun Sentinel)
City's fight to keep its street art nears a decision
Fort Lauderdale's effort to preserve its street art has reached a final stretch, with a decision expected within 30 days. The fight involves artwork including pieces along Breakers Avenue and Terramar Street; the Sun Sentinel says those works would have been removed months ago if the city had given in earlier. (Sun Sentinel)
World Cup viewing comes to Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard has a FIFA World Cup event scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at 11 a.m. Organizers describe the boulevard as a neighborhood destination to catch the tournament action. (Las Olas Boulevard events)
Free Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day at NSU Art Museum
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale has FREE Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Day scheduled for June 28 from noon to 5 p.m. Visitors can spend the afternoon in the downtown museum with no admission charge. (NSU Art Museum)
Clay Play returns to NSU Art Museum
NSU Art Museum has Creativity Exploration: Clay Play scheduled for June 13 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The hands-on art session gives visitors a short downtown museum activity built around clay. (NSU Art Museum)
Man dies after being pulled from water downtown
Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating after a man drowned in the 200 block of Southwest Second Avenue. Officers received a call around 5:07 a.m. about a possible drowning, and witnesses reported seeing a man enter the water. Police, fire rescue, and a Broward Sheriff's Office aviation unit searched the area, recovered the man, and took him to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died. His identity has not been released. (NBC 6 South Florida)