A Beloved Miami Farmstand and Bakery Makes a Change
Family owned and operated since 1956, Knaus Berry Farm changes hands and homes
Florida is no stranger to standing in line: from hours-long wait times to ride Space Mountain at Disney World to velvet ropes restricting access to Miami’s clubs, queues permeate all aspects of life in the Sunshine State. Some of the longest lines happen at a small farmstand in a small city somewhere between Miami and the Florida Keys.
Since 1956, people have been waiting in lines for cinnamon rolls from Knaus Berry Farm. The farm, which operates its farmstand and bakery from October through May, is more than a place to get freshly baked goods. For many, waiting in line on the first day Knaus reopens is an annual tradition.
Families — sometimes multiple generations — wait in line even through sudden rainstorms and temperatures reaching into the triple digits. The ones who have done it before bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, cash in hand. The rookies and tourists brave the elements for what seems like an eternity, some just learning of Knaus Berry Farm’s “cash only” policy. Even then, there’s a race against time: when the bakery sells out of its fresh cinnamon rolls for the day, it’s out no matter how long you waited.
For decades, Knaus Berry Farm’s popularity has grown. Reporters from around the world have written stories about the simple farmstand and its addictive baked goods and fruit shakes. The cinnamon rolls are now available for order through Goldbelly (when in season), and Knaus has collaborated with restaurants to offer cinnamon roll ice cream, doughnuts, and other mashups.
With all the subtle nods to progress, many things remained unchanged: Knaus Berry Farm has firmly adhered to its “cash only” policy, not accepting credit cards in person. The farm and bake shop also remained closed on Sundays, a nod to the family’s beliefs.
Miami is a city that is constantly changing — and not all for the better. Giant condos spring up overnight, welcoming crypto bros and other characters. Longtime family-run businesses close due to increases in taxes and rents, and charming spots turn into clubs with resident DJs. Despite the wholesale gutting of Miami history, Knaus Berry Farm has remained a refreshing constant.
Now, things are changing. Yesterday, it was announced that the Knaus family have sold the business to a group of Miami investors, including Joel White and Sunil Bhatt. The beloved farm will relocate to a larger space, about seven miles north of its original location. The new space will also feature a larger baking facility, which is expected to increase production efficiency. The new owners do intend to use the same recipe and ingredients, with a promise that the cinnamon rolls will remain unchanged.
The original staff will stay on, and the Knaus family (including longtime general manager Thomas Blocher) will be retained as consultants.
The new Knaus will accept credit cards and will also be open on Sunday.
It’s encouraging that the same people who have given their entire lives to Knaus will still be there to consult, and the same smiling faces will be baking and helping customers. But I’m honestly shocked by the fact that the “new Knaus” will be open on Sundays. For me, the adherence to tradition and the fact that 9-to-5ers had but one day to get their cinnamon roll fix made the prospect of driving down on a Saturday more of an exciting outing than a mere “cinnamon roll run”.
The fact that the purchase of cinnamon rolls had some obstacles — cash only, closed on Sunday, a limited number of rolls baked per day — wasn’t an inconvenience. The exact opposite — it made those rolls special. When something comes too easily in this world, the magic can disappear.
Will this new location have the same charm? The same magic? Only time will tell. We’ll all have to wait until the fall to find out. As usual, I’ll be there on opening day — and I’ll report back.