We all visit the surrounding counties to purchase items we may need, eat out at a local restaurant, or visit friends and family. Branford, Florida, our neighbor to the east, has some very nice businesses to support. The town does try to keep its small downtown going by encouraging more small businesses to locate in the area. One such business is called the Branford Farm Stand is located over on Highway 129 about a block from where US 27 and 129 meet. The Garrett Family owns and operates the stand 7 days a week now.
Garrett Brothers Farms has been in continuous operation since 1992. The Garrett family moved to Branford from Homestead to start the commercial vegetable operation. Farming for four generations…The vision for The Farm Stand originated through the abandoned farm house on 129 and nostalgia of previous u-pick family history.
Branford Farm Stand
27687 US-129
Branford, FL 32008
Hours:
Mon – Sat 11am – 6:30pm
Sun – 11 am – 5:30 pm
Website: https://www.branfordfarmstand.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branfordfarmstand/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/branfordfarmstand
How I First Came Across the Farm Stand
In 2020, as I made my weekly trip to the nearby flea market where my crafts store was located, I couldn’t help but notice several old, abandoned houses along the way. One in particular caught my eye, still standing strong with a sturdy roof. It crossed my mind that it would be perfect for a small store. However, before I had the chance to act on that thought, the Pandemic hit and everything came to a halt. On my final journey before closing up shop, I saw that the overgrown brush had been cleared and the house had been renovated instead of demolished. My initial reaction was excitement – someone else would now have a charming little home right by the road. A few weekends later, while out for a leisurely drive, I spotted a sign on the house that read “Farm Stand” and wooden boxes filled with fresh produce were on display. Naturally, I had to make a stop and check it out.
Upon entering the shop, I immediately noticed the tidy arrangement, freshly painted walls, and two women present. One was busy organizing products in the large, pristine refrigerators while the other, a younger lady, sat behind the check-out counter. Her friendly smile caught my attention and she warmly welcomed me to their establishment. As we chatted for a bit, she proudly shared their offerings which consisted of their own family-grown produce and select items from neighboring farms. The mother then joined us and kindly inquired if I had a taste for homemade soft tacos – to which I happily replied yes.
“Right now, they’re a dollar a piece, and I make them fresh every day,” she said.
Being a strong advocate of small business, I couldn’t resist and bought some tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and tacos. When I inquired about celery for making homemade soup later, the younger lady shook her head and said, “I’m sorry we don’t have any right now, but I’ll add it to our list and get it in as soon as possible.”
In summary, our visits to the new farm stand have consistently been enjoyable. Over the past two years, my family and I have stopped by multiple times. We were pleased to see that picnic tables with umbrellas are now available for outdoor dining, the selection of prepared food has expanded significantly, and there is an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, starter plants, homemade jams and jellies, and local honey. Furthermore, they now offer “U-Pick-Em” events on the farm throughout the year. Additionally, their staff has grown in number while maintaining the same friendly and courteous service we received on our first visit.
During my subsequent brief visits, I noticed that the house and displays remained clean and fresh. They share photos of the items they sell and customers enjoying the food and events on their website, Facebook page, and Instagram account. In the future, I wish them much success as they treat everyone as if they were family or friends.
Lets Feature Other Small Businesses
The Farm Stand, to me, represents everything good about messing the past, the present, and the future together. They took an old abandoned building, renovated it, created a business for their family, and are slowly growing it using modern tools and digital marketing techniques. I do not know if they still need some help over there but they have an EMPLOYMENT section if you are looking for a job.
If you have a small business located within Lafayette County Florida that you would like to have featured on this website please get in touch using our CONTACT US form.