Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe Is A Longstanding Florida Bakery That's Earned Local Adoration
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 26, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
There are certain culinary creations that not only define a place — they *are* the place. Word enthusiasts know this as synecdoche. We’re talking about Maine lobster rolls, Texas barbecue, Kentucky bourbon, or, in the case of Florida, key lime pie. Bright and fruit-forward, there’s no Florida dish quite as iconic as key lime pie. And there’s no Florida bakery more associated with this iconic dish, than Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe.
More than 29 years ago, Kermit Carpenter began selling smoothies from a small stand in front of Papa’s Restaurant in Key West, Florida, during his tenure as Papa’s bookkeeper. When the head chef suddenly decided to call it quits, Carpenter took it as an opportunity — not an obstacle. He discussed the opportunity with his sister Anita and her husband John, and the trio decided that whatever they decided to do, it needed to not only capture the spirit of Key West but also have Key West as part of its very name. And with this little slice of paradise being known for gourmet food and quality experiences, Key Lime fit the bill — and so began Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, a longstanding Florida bakery that’s earned the adoration of its coastal community.
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There's no dish that captures the laid-back, easygoing, "Welcome to Paradise" vibes of coastal Florida than key lime pie. This is just facts.
And there's no bakery in Florida that captures the very essence of this iconic and ubiquitous dessert than Kermit's Key West Lime Pie. Again -- also facts... just ask anyone in Key West, and they'll tell you Kermit's is the best!
In 1993, after much deliberation about future career paths within his cozy Key West community, Kermit Carpenter began selling pies on the corner of Elizabeth and Greene Streets. Thirty years later (this October), Kermit's flagship shop still stands, with the green-capped chef smiling as big as ever and as much as an icon as his delicious pies.
As it were, when the bakery first opened on this Key West corner, the rent was right -- but the location was not. While the shop was near the waterfront, it was also adjacent to a sewage pumping station. The good news, however, was that developers had big plans for the area -- so if Kermit's business could survive the next
few years, the site would be a premier location.
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So Kermit got to work. With a big, brilliant smile and enviable work ethic, all the new business owner needed to do was make the best key lime pies ever... and that he did.
Today, Carpenter still works seven days a week, 50 weeks a year, and his eponymous pie shop has become more than a mere bakery... it's part of the very fabric of the community, "a ‘destination retailer’ that visitors seek out for the experience," he says.
Of course, for a business to have garnered so much acclaim and adoration, the product itself needs to be good -- and yes, Kermit's pies really are *that* good.
Over the years, the baker has branched out with all sorts of key lime creations, from key lime on a stick to key lime-infused salad dressings and even other Old Florida cuisine, like the delicious Cuban sandwich!
The shop is open for full breakfast and lunch service daily, and it's become a destination in the area for tourists and locals like.
For Carpenter, the shop truly has taken on a life of its own; it's a community cornerstone and place folks just want to hang out. "Visitors love the opportunity to sit in our shaded waterfall garden, enjoy the koi pond, and take a break from the happy chaos that is Key West," he quips.
"After Hurricane Irma, with the island shut down to visitors, no electricity, empty grocery shelves and a Kermit’s kitchen FULL of food, for several days we fed the locals and first responders who needed a hot meal," he muses. The bake shop also proudly supports other Monroe County non-profits, including the MARC House, The Key West Women’s Club, Reef Relief, and The Key West Historical Society.
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Because at the end of the day, we're stronger together -- and this is something the most successful small business owners know and appreciate. "The best part of being a business owner is the people," he says. "Every single day, people are amazed that 'There really is a Kermit' and are just so gracious and friendly, sharing a bit of their vacation with us. This is a happy town, full of happy people," he says.
And for the last 30 years, Key West has been anchored by a jolly and jovial, Man in Green. We hope, with all our hearts, that folks continue coming to the corner of Elizabeth and Green Streets in Key West, Florida, to support a man who's become synonymous with the town itself.
Many thanks to Kermit Carpenter for sharing the story of his iconic Florida pie shop. Learn more about Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe at its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
Of course, Kermit’s is just one of the many longstanding and beloved local businesses in Florida; please nominate your favorite attractions and businesses for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Only In Florida article. And be sure to follow Only In Florida on Facebook and Instagram to learn about the Sunshine State’s most incredible places, attractions, and events.
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