Some roadside stands are born out of a surplus harvest, while others are built as a quiet act of resilience - carving out healing with two hands, a patch of dirt, and the courage to share it with neighbors.
Tucked along Canal Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, just a mile from where the road meets the Intracoastal Waterway, sits a welcoming little metal shed at the front of the homestead. Step inside, and you'll find an honor-system oasis: cartons of colorful pasture-raised chicken and duck eggs, glass jars of soothing natural remedies, homegrown luffa sponges, handcrafted lavender bath essentials, custom seasoning blends, and savory dip mixes.
For this week's spotlight, we caught up with Lisa behind Hidden T Homestead. Her story is an unforgettable testament to how reconnecting with our roots can turn unexpected life hurdles into an ongoing wellspring of community joy.
What’s the story behind your stand, and what inspired you to start it?
I had a freak accident a few years back that changed my life drastically. It left me unable to work outside our home as I once did. That change was extremely hard on me, and my family in turn. As I was working to heal my physical and mental health, we realized we needed a change of scenery.
I grew up on a large farm in Ohio, and remembered that what brought me the most joy was spending my days outside in the garden with my grandma and raising all our farm animals. So, after discussing with my husband, we decided to sell our house, bought a little piece of land, and our small farm was formed.
In an attempt to bring in some sort of an income, I decided I’d try to put up a little stand for our community to come by and grab produce, eggs, natural remedies, dry goods, etc. Although these stands are common where I grew up, it was a new concept in my town. It has brought me a lot of joy to share it with our community and has also helped with my healing journey.
What’s the one item on your table that brings people back week after week - or sells out the fastest?
Definitely our farm fresh eggs! I raise both ducks and chickens. I always have a waiting list for their delicious gifts!
How do you handle the logistics? (e.g., cash box/honor system, Venmo/card readers, cool storage, solar lighting, or physical stand design).
I currently have a small metal shed that I use as my stand. It runs on the honor system and so far has worked out well. We have a cash box, and I also have QR codes posted for folks to use Venmo or Zelle if they wish.
Goal: I would absolutely love to be able to purchase a small wooden shed one day that has a window so I can put in an AC unit. We are located in Florida and it gets incredibly HOT here! It would give me more options of items to offer, as well as allow me to leave goods in my stand overnight versus stocking and restocking each time we are open. I would then be able to be open additional days, as well as longer hours.
What’s your favorite thing about your local community, or a nearby local spot people should check out when they visit your stand?
The street we live on ends at the Intracoastal Waterway, just one mile from our home. There is a little pier there that is open to the public for fishing, or to just hang out and watch boats pass by. The history of our community is posted on the wall of the pier, with photos. While you are hanging out you can expect to see manatees, turtles, etc. It is just a really cool spot to check out.
What’s one tip or lesson learned you’d pass along to someone thinking about setting up their own roadside stand?
Do it!! If you truly love what you do, it’s a gift to share it with your community! There are so many kind folks that you will meet that you most likely wouldn’t have otherwise. Strangers become your biggest cheerleaders and it is so humbling to see the community enjoying all your hard work! My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner!
Almanac Note of the Week:
There is a quiet, restorative magic in returning to the soil when life takes an unexpected detour. Bringing Ohio farmstead traditions down to coastal Florida didn't just create a local haven for duck eggs and herbal remedies - it proved once again that roadside honor boxes create trust where none existed before.
And Lisa's words on the community response are something every aspiring stand owner should take to heart: "Strangers become your biggest cheerleaders." When you step out and put your care into the world, your neighbors notice. If you ever find yourself taking Canal Boulevard out toward the water in Ponte Vedra Beach, stop in at Hidden T Homestead, pick up some fresh eggs or lavender botanicals, and make your way down to the pier to watch the manatees swim by.
Catch you on the back roads,
- Derrick
