Jeanne Baker and her son, David Popham, have once again opened their own real estate firm in Coconut Grove, setting up shop on Commodore Plaza.

Baker first opened her own brokerage firm in the Grove in 1973 and quickly established herself as a major player in the area's real estate market. She sold her original business in the mid-1990s to Prudential. The business changed hands again when Arvida bought out Prudential.

Once the no-compete clause ran out with Prudential after about four years, Baker and Popham went to work about re-opening Jeanne Baker Realty. The headquarters are located at 3162 Commodore Plaza, in the heart of Coconut Grove.

"We have a great reputation and people just want to work here at Jeanne Baker Realty. We offer high (commission) splits and a great management team."

The Coconut Grove office occupies 2000 square feet of Jeanne Baker' s original office. They also have Unit F and plan to double the size of the office very quickly. "We might also take additional space downstairs," said Popham." If so we would have half of that office so that we can have street frontage.

The Coconut Grove Headquarters has grown about a 55- to 60-agent operation.

"Before, Jeanne Baker had 600 agents in 7 offices, I don' t think we are going to grow to that size, but I can' t predict the future. Whenever agents want to come work with us and have proven records, or who are new to the Real Estate profession and who are willing and want to grow their business, they will be welcome."

"For some reason, most of the agents that work in the Grove area flow together very well" said Baker." People want to live and work in the Grove because it has a laid back, mellow atmosphere. In contrast, the beach is a little more transient. People in the Grove have been working together for many years.

For Jeanne & David, camaraderie is not only important in the local Real Estate community, but within their own agency as well.

"When we talk about camaraderie, we don't mean just saying hello in the morning. It's taking care of your associates, help them enjoy their work."

Jeanne comes in on a daily basis. "She likes to be the goodwill ambassador, as well as still doing a lot of sales, but she doesn't want to be as involved in the day-to-day operations as she used to be." That is where David Popham comes in. His job is the realization of goal he had had for many years.