It's all about a certain verdant fruit at this local shop

Surely everyone is familiar with the scene in the "Forrest Gump" movie when Private Bubba goes on and on about the many uses for shrimp. While the selection of prawn dishes was impressive, it can't begin to match the 230 different items made from the Key lime found at Kermit's Key West Lime Shoppe in Mount Dora.

From cookies to hair conditioner, the Key lime takes center stage at this quickly growing franchise that originated in Key West, Fla. According to Gail Brown, manager of the local shop, store founder Kermit Carpenter brought the "Key lime experience" to Central Florida because of the growing tourism market in Mount Dora. The Lake County location is unique because it is less than 30 miles from the company's factory. New shipments of Key lime products arrive weekly.

"Nothing sits around here for long," Brown said. "Everything is really fresh."

Of course, the most popular item at this lime emporium is the refreshingly tart and sweet Key lime pie. At the front counter sits a display case of this creamy confection. Customers can buy a slice or a whole pie. For the adventurous spirits, Kermit's offers a treat like no other: a frozen slice of Key lime pie placed on a stick and then dipped in Belgian chocolate.

"We have regulars that come in once a month to get pie bars or a whole key lime pie," Brown said.

Another popular item is the Key lime juice. It's a necessity for crafting a homemade "pie that dances on your tongue." For those that are less talented in the kitchen, the Key lime pie filling is equally as tasty.

"I call it the no-brainer key lime pie," Brown said. "You just mix it with cool whip and put it into a graham-cracker piecrust."

In addition to the ready-to-eat goodies on hand, the shop also specializes in gift baskets. Customers can special order the baskets and have the store ship them anywhere. The shop will also fulfill special orders for an event with any Key lime product a customer desires. From a wedding with frozen Key lime bars, to a family reunion with cooler cookies and fresh cilantro salsa, Kermit's Key West Lime Shoppe is up to the task.