Special to the Monitor
On the sun-drenched corner of State Road 16 and U.S. 301, under the shade of a bright blue canopy tent, the hum of summer is alive and well — and it smells like fresh-cut watermelon.
Meet Island Williams, an 18-year-old high school student carrying on a local tradition with a sweet legacy: selling watermelons the old-fashioned way, just like his grandfather taught him.
Island is the second-generation “Watermelon Man” in his family. His grandfather, Reginald Green — known far and wide as “The Watermelon Man” — has been selling melons out of his trusty pickup truck for over seven years. With a signature blend of hard work, warmth, and the kind of charm only a seasoned local can deliver, Reginald built a small but beloved summer business that’s become a fixture in the Starke community.
“I just love seeing people happy,” Island says with a grin as he helps a customer pick out the juiciest melon. “Helping people and quenching their thirst — that’s what I enjoy most.”
The two men have been working together for more than three years, sourcing their watermelons from a trusted supplier near Gainesville. But there’s more to the story than just selling fruit. There’s a legacy of family, entrepreneurship, and a passion for good, honest work.
“My grandfather has been doing this since before I could drive,” Island says proudly. “He gave me the chance to learn, and I took it.”
Every summer, the familiar blue tent pops up at the same intersection — a quiet beacon for those craving a cold slice of summer. Locals pull over to chat, grab a melon (or two), and often stay for a story. It’s not just a roadside stand — it’s a community staple.
And it turns out, there’s a secret to that unforgettable sweetness. Reginald explains that their watermelons are pollinated with the help of honeybees, a natural process that boosts the fruit’s flavor. “That’s why our melons taste a little better,” he says with a wink. “It’s nature’s touch.”
For Island, the stand represents more than summer money. It’s a window into responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the value of community. He plans to be out there every day through the end of August, soaking up the last rays of summer before he heads back to high school for his senior year.
But don’t let the sweet smile and easy demeanor fool you — this young man has his sights set on a strong future. Island plans to pursue a career in welding, a trade he’s passionate about and considers a solid, high-paying profession.
“Selling watermelons is great, but welding — that’s the goal,” he says. “You’ve got to think ahead. You can always find work when you’ve got a trade.”
Still, the lessons he’s learning under that canopy will stick with him for life: customer service, business savvy, reliability — and the importance of family roots.
“Not everyone gets to work alongside their granddad,” Island says. “It’s special.”
The relationship between Island and Reginald is as special as a summer evening. While the two may differ in age, they share a rhythm — slicing, selling, and laughing together, trading tips and teasing one another like best friends.
Reginald, watching Island interact with a steady stream of loyal customers, beams with pride. “He’s got what it takes,” he says. “He’s learning, and he’s doing it right.”
As cars pass by and children run up to grab slices of chilled watermelon, the little corner of State Road 16 and U.S. 301 feels like more than a roadside fruit stand. It feels like a throwback to simpler times — when work was honest, family came first, and a cold slice of melon could fix just about anything.
So, if you’re driving through Starke this summer and spot the familiar blue tent waving in the breeze, stop by. Shake Island’s hand. Hear Reginald’s stories. Pick up a watermelon kissed by bees and sold with a smile.
Because this isn’t just about fruit. It’s about legacy. It’s about learning. It’s about a young man named Island Williams — the next Watermelon Man — who’s proving that sweet things grow when you plant the right seeds.
