The name of the Windmill Gate Shopping Center is a nod to the agricultural history of the area.
Until the mid-1970s, the property was the site of the Miami Lakes Riding Academy. It was the fourth shopping complex built by The Graham Companies, and is at 16351-16459 NW 67th Ave., just south of the Palmetto Expressway.
Three merchants have been in business there for more than three decades: Hale’s Health Foods which opened in 1978; followed by Miami Lakes Shoe Service in 1982 and Haagen-Dazs ice cream parlor in 1987.
“When we opened on June 2, 1978, this shopping center was still under construction,” said Denise Hale, owner of the health foods store. “There was nothing but cow pastures around us.
“We chose the front of the shopping center, and we like how close it is to the expressway which customers can easily access,” she said.
The Riding Academy was once home to 80 horses. As development continued in the town, it was moved to Miami Lakes Picnic Park near the Lake Katharine Shopping Center.
Windmill Gate is a 31,000 square foot complex near Miami Lakes Optimist Park and the Miami-Dade County Library’s Miami Lakes branch.
The Loch Ness and Windmill Gate residential neighborhoods are within walking distance.
Dining options include Haagen-Dazs; Casavana Cuban Cuisine; Pollo Tropical; Ken & Mike’s
Pizza, Pasta and More; El Pimiento Restaurant and Vanilla Espresso Bakery Cafe.
Selah Skin Studio; Polished Beauty Bar and Hanna Jade Beauty Bar all provide personal care.
Health care firms include GiGi’s Playhouse; Specialty Smiles; Miami Lakes Family Chiropractic;
Allergy and Immunology Care Center of South Florida; Ferrel Dental Group and Sierra Medical Center.
Shoppers can also find Crown Cleaners; Garvera Insurance Associates, Inc. and U.S. Air Force & Special Warfare Recruiting.
The shopping center has been renovated in recent months, with a new roof, fresh exterior paint and a redesigned entrance sign.