🌱 Miami's Kiwibot Secures $10 Million + Tuesday Morning Closures

Hey, neighbors. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Miami Patch newsletter — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. In today's issue, you'll learn about:

• OSHA is investigating an explosion at a welding business that left two people dead
• Tuesday Morning is closing stores nationwide including in South Florida
• Miami's Kiwibot startup has secured $10 million in financing

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 84 Low: 72.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. Tuesday Morning is closing more than half of its 487 stores nationwide, including stores in South Florida at Pompano Beach. The concept seeks to "emerge from bankruptcy with a profitable, cash-generating store fleet that serves its most engaged and loyal customers." The store previously sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020, according to MarketWatch. (Patch Florida)
2. Miami startup, Kiwibot, has secured $10 million dollars in financing with Kineo Finance in Switzerland. Kiwibot currently has over 500 autonomous delivery robots and plans to make thousands more in the next two years. Kiwibot claims their robots can reduce delivery costs by as much as 65 percent for customers. (Miami INNO)
3. Miami Beach city commissioners are non-committal to a Miami-Dade County plan to expand the Metromover system to Miami Beach after opposition has started to mount from both residents and non-residents. Detractors said they are concerned about the potential for increased crime, density, and the impact on the environment. One wealthy group in opposition has contacted the U.S. Coast Guard to have them evaluate the plan. (WPLG Local 10)
4. OSHA is investigating massive explosion at a Medley welding business that killed two people. The incident happened at Laurie's General Welding, which has not faced inspections in the past. The explosion happened in the 11300 block of Northwest S. River Drive at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. (NBC Miami)
5. The 22nd annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF) returns today, Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. The festival will include more than 100 events throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. A complete list of events is available online at sobewff.org. (Miami's Community Newspaper)

Today in Miami:

• COVID-19 Testing at Kendale Lakes Branch Library. (9 a.m.)
• Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) at Doral Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• The 26th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend at Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater. (6 p.m.)
• Networking Event "305 Tech Mixer" at Racket Miami. (6 p.m.)
• PaloSanto at Roof Top Gitano Miami Beach. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared: "On Tuesday morning at 8:42 a.m., MDFR responded to an explosion at a business located on 11350 NW S. River Drive in Medley. Upon arrival, firefighters found a large plume of smoke and heavy fire coming from multiple vehicles." (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Public Library System shared: "Learn to crochet and knit while chatting with this fun group at the Doral Branch Library. Join us for the Get Hooked. Crochet & Knitting Club this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. https://bddy.me/3Et6yS2." (Miami-Dade Public Library System via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Parks shared: "We are excited to announce the winners of our 34th annual In the Company of Women Awards, presented by Amerant Bank! 🌺🏆" (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Miami Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com