After 14 years, beloved Robin to fly away
Owner of Little Lilly's Island Deli to start new adventure
Robin Lilly, owner of Little Lilly’s Island Deli, located in Bokeelia, at the island center, has a new adventure on the horizon. The decision to leave the island, which she describes as bittersweet comes just shy of her 14th anniversary at Little Lilly’s.
“Fourteen years is a long time. I never thought I’d stay this long, but, you know, I love it,” Lilly said.
She has stayed for the people, and the island, Lilly said, adding that her staff and customers combined have added to her life immeasurably. Shortly after Lilly moved to Pine Island, the previous deli owner put a for sale sign up in the window. She saw the sign and decided right away to purchase the business and make it her own.
It seems she’s been able to do just that, selling locally made and grown art, food and memorabilia that reminds customers that Pine Island is as unique as Little Lilly’s Island Deli. Before long, islanders welcomed Lilly with open arms as she began her journey in creating a veritable island institution.
“When we first opened, nobody really knew us and it felt like we were the newbies on the island for years and years and years. I don’t know at what point it changed and all of a sudden I was like, wait a minute, I’ve been here a long time. Restaurants around me were opening and closing and then I realized I’d been one of the longest running restaurants on the island — no longer a newbie,” Lilly said.
Recently married, Lilly’s husband, Tom, who is a construction project manager, has secured a new job in Denver. Although he will relocate before his start date, Lilly said she has no plans to leave the deli in the hands of just anyone, and plans to stay on in order to guide the new owner and protect her customers from something that some may have viewed as “just a business decision.”
Far from being yanked from the island, Lilly said her husband had a great opportunity and the time has simply come for a change.
“He moved from Denver about five years ago. We met and had a long-distance relationship for a little bit and then he decided to move here, mainly because I had the deli. It made more sense for him to come here because I didn’t want to give that up. He’s been here for five years and I’ve been in Florida for over 20. He got a job offer in Denver, where he’s from, and it just seemed like it was a sign and the right time to make a change,” Lilly said.
Although at this point Lilly said she has no idea what shape her career will take in the next chapter of her life, she is a big believer in things working out according to each person’s particular journey.
“I know the universe will take care of me and I have faith that things will work out. I can’t worry about the future too much. You have to close one door, before another one opens. All of my energy — my whole being — is put into this deli, so it’s hard for me to even think past that, but I know that once it’s gone and I get over my sadness, the other opportunities will open up,” Lilly said.
Having gone through her share of trials and tribulations, such as a divorce, Lilly said the deli kept her focused and became a great source of intention in keeping her on track. She said the hard times in her life were all for the best in the end and ultimately helped her grow into the deli, which has become her baby.
As for the islanders, Lilly said, she has gained so much from her customers over the years, from their loyalty to patience with her as she grew, and the sharing of knowledge she would need.
“I will miss them — my customers are my family, they’re my friends. I think that’s the hardest part about selling. I realize I can’t be too picky, but I want to be picky about who buys it. I want to hand it over to someone who’s going to love it, and who my customers will love. I really believe that things work out the way they’re supposed to.
“I hope my customers understand that life moves in different directions. Living on this island and running this deli has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Lilly said.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email