Robert Is Here. That might seem like an unusual name for a business. But those three simple words have become legendary in South Florida.
It all started 51 years ago on a roadside in Florida City near Homestead. In this small town on the edge of the Everglades, the Moehling family depended on farming for survival. It was their way of life. One fall day in 1959, a young Robert Moehling was handed a very big task from his daddy. The six-year-old was told to go out by the roadside and sell the season’s bumper crop of cucumbers. Robert set up shop by the highway, and the waiting game began. Car after car passed, but no one bothered to stop. After hours of sitting in the sun and heat, Moehling had nothing to show for his efforts. The day was a bust.
A change in strategy was needed. The next day, Pappa Moehling grabbed a couple of hurricane shutters and some bright red paint. In big letters, he painted “Robert Is Here” on the sides and propped them up next to the roadway.
The homemade signs lured them in. One by one, travelers pulled off the road to see what young Robert was selling. Within a few hours, Robert had unloaded everything he had. A business was born.
Months turned into years and Robert’s fruit stand continued to grow. With the help of a neighbor lady, Robert ran the stand even during school months. At times, he operated on the honor system, leaving a coffee can for customers to deposit their money. By the age of 14, Robert had saved up enough cash to purchase ten acres of land and started planting avocado trees on the property.
Decades later, Moehling owns quite a bit more acreage and a fruit stand by the highway. Of course now the “stand” occupies a much larger and sturdier open-air building. What started as a humble fruit stand is now a local landmark and internationally-known tourist attraction. Visitors to South Florida often stop by on their way to the Everglades or to the Keys.
Moehling carries a wide variety of fruit from mangoes and oranges to bananas and passion fruit, when in season. In addition to the cornucopia of fruit, Moehling also stocks a large selection of locally-made honeys, jams and dipping sauces.
While you’re browsing the stand, be sure to treat yourself to one of the family’s deliciously-thick milkshakes. Made 100-percent from fresh fruit grown on the property, the milkshakes are unlike anything you’ll ever taste. You can order almost any flavor imaginable or create a concoction of your own. The shakes literally taste like the fruit was just taken off the stem and mixed up in a blender. They’re that good.
And while you’re sipping on your fruit shake, check out the back of the property. Here you’ll find Robert’s own petting zoo complete with a menagerie of animals from donkeys and emus to exotic birds and turkeys.
On the roof are still the words “Robert Is Here.” And most days, Robert really is there. He usually works the front counter, adding up items at the register and bagging up purchases. He loves to talk with customers and find out where they’re from. But he treats everyone the same whether they’re a regular or just passing through. Whatever questions people may have, Robert will answer them. And if he doesn’t have what you need in stock at the moment, he’ll write down your name and number and give you a call when it’s available.
In five decades, Robert and his fruit stand have come a long way from hand-painted hurricane shutters and the coffee can full of money. But some things haven’t changed, including the excellent customer service and the homegrown quality products. If you’re ever passing through South Florida near Homestead, keep your eyes open for the signs that say “Robert Is Here.” Stop and stay a while. Enjoy a shake and take something home. Your taste buds will thank you.
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand is located just off U.S. 1 in Florida City near Homestead. The stand is closed in September and October.
