Since last spring break, a handful of South Beach businesses shut down on Washington Avenue, the iconic Mango's Tropical Cafe cut its operating hours, and Sweet Liberty reported its worst summer of sales ever.

Why it matters: As city officials work to transform South Beach from a spring break destination into a live-work-play community, some of the area's most popular bars and clubs say they're hurting.

• Meanwhile, the city and its supporters say measures like curfews, parking restrictions and anti-party PSAs were a necessary response to the violence and disorder that plagued previous spring breaks.

The big picture: Bar owners, who rely on March sales to get through the rest of the year, say business is down across South Beach and they're worried that the city's spring break crackdown will lead to more empty storefronts.

What they're saying: David Wallack, the owner of Mango's, tells Axios the South Beach entertainment district is in a "serious depression," which he blames on the crackdown and the pedestrianization of Ocean Drive.

• "Everybody's income is down 30%. It's a blood bath."
• At Mango's, which has been on Ocean Drive for three decades, Wallack says he's cut pay, shrunk staffing and reduced lunch service to three days a week.

Sweet Liberty co-owner Dan Binkiewicz says business is down 30% compared to two years ago.

• "They did a good job of killing the party, which is fine, but let it go. We need some semblance of normalcy. And we need commerce."

By the numbers: The city's hotel occupancy rate is about the same as it was in 2021, but its resort tax revenue is down about 6% compared to 2021-22.

The other side: City spokesperson Melissa Berthier says the 2022 mark was a record-high and, when compared to 2019, resort tax collections are up 24%.

• Berthier tells Axios that officials are prioritizing Miami Beach's global brand over short-term gain, aiming to find "a balance between keeping South Beach safe during spring break and ensuring the continued success of all of our businesses."

Palace Bar & Restaurant general manager AJ Prasaguet tells Axios the long-running drag bar has seen a slowdown, but nothing compared to what he's heard from other Ocean Drive nightlife operators.

• In his two years running the business, Prasaguet says he's changed Palace's marketing strategy and is trying to cater to locals through resident discounts.
• "We've been pretty blessed not being as down as everybody else. We continue to try to be innovative."

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Troy Wright, executive director of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, tells Axios that his business owners support the city's spring break crackdown, but are worried they won't be able to make rent.

• "They really support the initiatives by the city, they want to support everything because nobody wants anyone to die, but we also believe that's a low bar."

The latest: This year, Wright said, total revenue on Washington Avenue is down and foot traffic is slightly down after four years of growth.

• "The spring break crackdown was the beginning of the end," says Jessica Knopff, who closed her Washington Avenue restaurant Sriracha House last June.

The intrigue: Lyle Stern, president of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, said South Beach restaurants seemed busy last year during spring break as locals who in the past might have stayed home felt comfortable going out at night.

• The BID hasn't taken a public stance on the crackdown. But speaking as a resident, Stern tells Axios that last year's marketing strategy and enhanced restrictions "allowed us to take back the city."
• Stern said the city needed to stop the disorder that had plagued previous spring breaks, but going forward, officials should be able to roll back the restrictions.

What's next: Berthier says the city's current focus is on rowdy behavior and "preventing chaos."

• Longer-term, the city wants to lure in new visitors, residents and diverse businesses by promoting the city's Art Deco architecture, cultural offerings and amenities.

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🍔 Skinny Louie was named Miami's best burger at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival's annual Burger Bash. (Miami New Times)

👀 President Trump backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R) for Florida governor in 2026. The endorsement gives the likely gubernatorial candidate an edge in the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited. (NBC News)

A new Nespresso store has opened in Brickell City Centre that gives people a chance to test their hand at being a barista.

The big picture: You can make coffee using Nespresso machines and coffee pods and take classes at the "immersive" coffee boutique.

Stop by: Nespresso Boutique, Brickell City Centre, Level 1, 701 S. Miami Ave.

• 11am-9pm Monday to Saturday, 11am-8pm Sunday.

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Miami ranked lower than New York City, Washington, D.C., and Dallas as the hottest destinations for college-educated Americans leaving their home county, per the latest census data.

Why it matters: White-collar workers tend to go where they think the jobs are, and cities are constantly competing to attract well-paid professionals — and the tax revenue they often bring.

By the numbers: Among Americans age 25 and up with a bachelor's degree or better who moved to a new county in 2023, 6.1% went to NYC, 3.5% to D.C. and 3.2% to Dallas.

• 1.7% went to Miami.

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