After 3 Decades and an Ever-Growing Fanbase That Spanned the Globe, Owners Archie and Jill Ritch Retire
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
photos provided by RIDGE ISLAND GROVES
After more than three decades serving up fresh-squeezed orange juice, homemade ice cream, and Southern hospitality, Ridge Island Groves has closed its doors to the public. The family-run citrus staple in Haines City has welcomed generations of visitors from across the globe. But now, owners Archie and Jill Ritch are stepping into retirement.
“We didn’t set out to build what we built,” Archie Ritch says. “Our goal was just to have a place where my wife and I could work together and raise our children.”
Founded with humble roots and a homemade vision, Ridge Island Groves began as a simple family business tucked off the beaten path. Ritch remembers struggling to make ends meet in the early days, often picking up seasonal construction and grove work to keep the dream alive.
“It took us seven or eight years before we really started to turn the corner,” he says.
What began with citrus trees and gift fruit shipping grew into one of the county’s most iconic ag destinations long before “agritourism” became an industry buzzword.
From Struggle to Staple
At first, Ritch admits, the idea of letting customers pick their own fruit seemed more of a hassle than a help.
“We viewed it as a pain,” he says. “There were these two ladies who came every year, and one time they picked fruit in the pouring rain with umbrellas. I just sat there thinking, maybe we’re missing something.”
That moment changed everything. Ritch and his family began to lean into what would eventually become their most beloved offering: an immersive experience where guests could not only enjoy the fruit but also get out into the groves and pick it themselves.
“We were agritourism before agritourism was a thing,” Ritch says.
Adjusting to the Times
As citrus greening set in during the early 2000s, it became clear the Ritches would need to modify their offerings.
They decided to expand to plant blackberries, blueberries, and peaches.
“In 2008, Florida produced 250 million boxes of fruit. This year they’ll produce 12 [million],” Ritch said. “We diversified out of necessity.”
Global Impact, One Family at a Time
Over the years, Ridge Island Groves transformed from a commercial grove to a favorite tradition complete with a marketplace, tours, and fresh goodies made from the fruit. Families planned their vacations around visits and former employees carried their memories with them into adulthood.
When Ridge Island Groves announced their closing on a social media post, a groundswell of bittersweet memories flooded the comments.
Jiann Russell, who once worked at the grove as a teen, commented: “Y’all enjoy your retirement, but it’s definitely very very sad to see it go. I have sent so many customers from Haines City Sonny’s over your direction to experience our Florida citrus and some good homemade ice cream and Southern hospitality.”
Ridge Island’s impact reached far beyond Polk County. One comment came from South Africa. Another from Quebec, and then another from Michigan. “As the years go by, many favorite things go away,” wrote Steve Poling. “We must savor them while we can.”
In 2014, Ridge Island Groves received the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing Partner of the Year Award, an unexpected moment of recognition that Ritch still holds dear.
“I think about that every day,” he said. “It really showed us how vital we were not just to this community, but to the industry.”
Looking Ahead
Though Ridge Island Groves is closing to the public, the Ritches aren’t stepping away entirely. Archie and Jill will continue to ship gift fruit during the holidays, a tradition that has lasted decades.
“We’ll still offer gift fruit shipping through RidgeIslandGroves.com,” Ritch says. “Some customers have been with us for 30 years. We want to keep that connection going, even if it’s just for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and January.”
Beyond that, retirement will bring a new kind of purpose. Ritch is stepping into a leadership role with the Disaster Relief Program through Westwood Missionary Baptist Church, helping storm-affected communities across the southeastern United States.
“I won’t get much of a break,” he says with a laugh, “but this is where I’m supposed to be next.”
A Legacy That Lasts
Even as the Florida citrus industry continues to face challenges from disease and hurricanes to encroaching development, there’s still a deep-rooted passion among growers and others in the industry.
Ritch believes that spirit of innovation and perseverance will shape what comes next. “People still want it,” he says. “There’s a need for it in the community.”
As the landscape of agriculture evolves, the story of Ridge Island Groves stands as a reminder of what’s possible through hard work, family, and faith — and why those traditions matter now more than ever.
Ritch has simple advice for future generations considering a life in agriculture: “Don’t be afraid of hard work, and don’t quit.”
Above all, Ritch credits the success of Ridge Island Groves to faith and persistence. “We can’t take all the credit,” he said. “The Lord blessed us beyond measure. And now, He has something more for us.”