by Meredith A. Brown
Editor
| When Ena Schwartz shares her story that took her from across the Atlantic Ocean to what is now known as the Atlantic Sands, she can count on her daughter and granddaughter to fill in where her memory fails. |
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The 95-year-old great-grandmother and founder of the Atlantic Sands Beach Suites on Hollywood Beach says what got her in the vacation/rental business in the beginning is what keeps her in it to this very day: a love of work, a love of her guests and a love for her family. The business has been in the family for over 40 years and Ena’s daughter Dori Neuwirth, 65, can not remember a time that she was not involved. It is that same torch of commitment and love for the business that has now been passed onto Dori Lynn Neuwirth, 38, whose involvement marks the third “G,” which they affectionately explain stands for “generation” and “girls.”
The Atlantic Sands girls run their business based on 'old school' business philosophies – provide personal service by being extra friendly and hospitable, keep a tight bottom line and know how to do “everything.”
“I couldn’t believe a few months ago I found my grandmother on a ladder with a paintbrush,” said Dori Lynn, who graduated South Broward in 1986 and is married to Buffalo-native Gary Gottzmann. “She has always been independent; it is hard to get her to slow down.”
Independent is right. As a German immigrant who came to New York to pursue a career in dance and modeling, Ena fondly reminisces how she got to perform in a traveling chorus line-style cabaret. “We made $40 a week and got to see the country for free,” said the shrewd and still sharp-as-a-tack snowbird. “I got paid to see the country!”
Sometime in her early 20s, the blonde Rockette in need of some R&R came to Miami Beach where she met her future husband Carl. An avid angler and sun worshipper, the Massachusetts native had fallen in love with South Florida but fell even harder for Ena.
“I was walking on Miami Beach with some of my girlfriends when this very tall man whistled and gestured me over,” said Ena in her barely faded German accent. “I shook my head ‘no’ and said you have the same distance to walk to me as I have to you, so you come to me.”
They were married within two years and settled in his hometown of Springfield, Mass where Ena first began making real estate investments.
“I found some waterfront land and bought some,” said Ena. “And then I bought lots of it,” where they eventually built cottages where there was once nothing.
So as she was building a real estate portfolio, the couple was also building their family.
They had three children: Robert, Judy and Dori who was the middle child and the only one with real interest in the “vacation rental/hospitality” business.
“I was always interested,” said Dori who compares it to daughter Dori Lynn’s passionate interest. “Whatever my parents were doing – painting, fixing; I’d be right there by their side.”
Both daughter and granddaughter agree that what they acquired the most from their matriarch “Ma” is their work ethic. To this day Ena preaches her business philosophies to her “girls.” “Stay small, be friendly and cater to the people- family style.”
Perhaps this explains the continued success of the cottage-style vacation suites which she bought in 1960 for $36,000 and is located on Hayes Street just 100 feet from Hollywood's famed Broadwalk and beach.
Ena admits she has received offers from big developers which she has politely rejected. “I am not interested in selling . . . always keeping it in the family. Our guests are like family and know what to expect,” she said adding that 50 percent of their business is repeat business.
But when it comes to a proposed historic preservation for central beach, Ena laughs. “I am the oldest one on the block and I do not think that qualifies us as historic.”
The unique property features air conditioned, non-smoking, fully-tiled, one bedroom suites. Vacationers can often be seen enjoying the property’s tropical courtyard, where the “3G’s” often host barbecues for their “guests,” or from time-to-time serves as the setting for a small, intimate wedding.
The business is currently ranked as one of the top properties in Hollywood based on TripAdvisor reviews and for this Dori pays credit to daughter Dori Lynn.
“She has really developed the business with the use of the internet and bringing us from just seasonal rentals to year-round,” said Dori, who like her mother, still summers up in Massachusetts where their other rental properties continue to prosper.
When asked what the most challenging element about the three working together is, Dori Lynn replies simply, “three generations; three view points.”
When asked about the best part, the 3G’s share one view point and unequivocally agree, “Togetherness.”
For more information on Atlantic Sands, visit www.atlanticsandsfl.com or call Dori Lynn at 954-921-4123.
