Boyett's Grove opens its doors again

On April 25, the shop was robbed and its owner was shot. Now the family business reopens with a thank-you.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published July 3, 2007

SPRING LAKE - It was not business as usual Sunday at Boyett's Grove. Standing behind the counter, Kathy Oleson generously scooped chocolate ice cream into two cones and handed them to two little girls. But when their father opened his wallet to pay, Oleson waved him off with a smile.

"They're on me, " she said. "And thank you for coming by to see us."

For Oleson, the grand reopening of her family's business offered a chance to give back to the community that helped her get through the most trying time of her life. Throughout the day, well-wishers stopped by to share laughs, hugs and a few tears at the gift shop and citrus grove on Spring Lake Highway.

"It's wonderful seeing those doors open again, " Oleson said. "It makes me feel like life might be finally getting back on track."

On April 25, Oleson's husband, Jim, was shot in the chest during a robbery at the shop. The family business had to take a backseat while Kathy Oleson and her sons kept vigil over Jim in the intensive care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of volunteers and friends around Hernando County stepped in to help at Boyett's Grove. Some bought food for the menagerie of animals in the attraction's outside zoo. Others organized fundraisers to help pay for Jim's mounting medical bills.

Through it all, Kathy Oleson vowed that once Jim was well enough, she would do her best to repay the kindness shown to her and her family.

"We can never express how grateful we are to the community for all their help, " Oleson said. "The best thing we could do is to share with them what has made our lives so happy. That's what this business has done for us."

Although Jim Oleson remains hospitalized, visitors were greeted by a large photo of him smiling from his hospital bed. Several took the time to write notes to him.

Not surprisingly, many who came Sunday were regular visitors, including Martin Cohen of Spring Hill, who was accompanied by his 9-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn.

"We try to come several times a year, " Cohen said. "My daughters love the zoo and all the animals. It's a unique part of Hernando County."

Joe Garrett said he first visited the attraction on an elementary school field trip nearly 13 years ago. He was pleased to see little had changed.

"I saw my first llama here, " Garrett said. "And the big shark exhibit still amazes me."

New Port Richey residents Celeste Davies and Mary Knechtel had heard about the robbery and shooting on the news and were curious as to what Boyett's Grove was all about. Both found the quaintness of the attraction endearing.

"It reminds me of Florida the way it used to be, " Knechtel said. "I think I could spend a whole day here."

Though the robbery and shooting remains unsolved, Kathy Oleson says she ready to put the tragedy behind her. She is hopeful that her husband will be able to come home in a few weeks.

"That's the important thing to me right now, " she said. "After that, who knows? At least today has given me some kind of closure. Everything starts for the better from here."

Logan Neill can be reached at 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 2, 2007, 21:18:39]