Knaus Berry Farm Relocating to Miami Under New Ownership

Knaus Berry Farm's cinnamon buns and strawberry milkshakes are the stuff of Dade County legend. Everyone under the South Florida sun has trekked down to Homestead and waited in a seemingly endless line for the pleasure of U-pick strawberries, homemade breads, and fresh-picked produce. Not much here has changed since 1956, when brothers Ray and Russell Knaus started selling berries at a roadside stand. The brothers expanded their inventory to include pies, breads, and other baked goods after a fruit broker told Ray's wife, Barbara, that her cookies were good enough to sell.

To this day, the farm has stayed true to its roots: cash only, closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and open only from late October to mid-April. But ask anyone who's ever stashed a few dozen extra cinnamon buns in their freezer — the magic of Knaus never really goes out of season.

Now, for the first time in 65 years, that magic is moving north, and many of its old-time principles, like being cash-only or closed on Sundays, will end. 

A New Home and New Ownership for a Miami Classic

Since 1959, Knaus Berry Farm has been tucked off Southwest 248th Street near 157th Avenue, where it grew into one of Miami’s most beloved food institutions. But now the landmark is relocating a bit farther north, to land owned by Sam S. Accursio & Sons Farms near Krome Avenue and Southwest 168th Street — still agricultural South Dade, but with more space for parking and expansion. The location is about 7.7 miles north of the original Knaus Berry Farm.

The move comes alongside a change in ownership. A local group that includes Joel White, former vice president of marketing for Genuine Hospitality, and investor Sunil Bhatt, CEO and co-owner of Genuine Holdings, has purchased the farm. White, who will serve as general manager, insists the new chapter will honor everything Knaus built. "We are looking forward to carrying on the tradition the Knaus family has built," he told the Miami Herald. "We will be using the same recipes, bakery equipment, and techniques. Even the water will have the same pH to ensure the product is delivered to our customers just as they know and love."

Old Traditions, Small Tweaks

Longtime general manager and co-owner Thomas Blocher, the man credited with shrinking the rolls so every bite felt like the gooey middle, will remain on as a kitchen consultant. Knaus family members will also stay involved as advisors. All current employees are being offered jobs at the new site. Plus, the legendary buns and other baked goods will taste exactly as customers remember.

Still, change is coming. For the first time, Knaus will accept credit cards, sparing customers from sprinting to an ATM after an hour in line. And yes, the bakery will now be open on Sundays, which may finally ease the infamous Saturday crush. The new space will include a bigger kitchen with an additional oven, something White hopes will shorten wait times. Along with cinnamon rolls, milkshakes, and breads, the farm will continue selling local produce — from beans and squash to tomatoes, okra, and the strawberries that started it all. U-pick strawberries will return once the season begins.

A Family Legacy

The Knaus family's story has always been one of triumph laced with hardship. A decade ago, in 2015, its co-founder, Ray, passed away at the age of 85 in Redland. Then, in 2023, the family suffered tragedy when 66-year-old Rachel Knaus Grafe, daughter of co-founder Ray Knaus, died following a violent attack at her home. She and her husband, Herbert Grafe, were attacked by their son, Travis Grafe, who allegedly suffered from mental illness. Herbert survived. Despite heartbreak, the family kept the ovens running and the lines moving, a testament to their resilience and the community's loyalty.

Now, the torch passes to new hands, but the legacy of Ray, Russell, Barbara, and the generations that followed remains baked into every swirl of cinnamon and sugar. For Miamians, the relocation marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of another.

Another Piece of Old Miami Moving On

Knaus isn't the first South Florida institution to pack up and head for new ground. Longtime favorite Bagel Emporium, a breakfast rite of passage for UM students, is about to relocate to a new home in Coral Gables. Additionally, beloved South Miami staple Deli Lane is also preparing for a move close by after decades in its iconic corner spot. Miami's growth has always come with a side of reinvention, but the relocation of places like Knaus is a reminder that even our most cherished traditions eventually have to bend with the times.

Knaus Berry Farm's new location, at 16790 SW 177th Ave., is set to open in late fall 2025. Until then, the question on every local's mind isn't if they'll drive down — it's how many dozen buns they'll haul back.

Knaus Berry Farm. 16790 SW 177th Ave., Miami; knausberryfarm.com. Opening late fall 2025.